Thursday, November 29, 2018

ornaments

For George Wright - Orchardist



apple ornaments
forgotten in the orchard
fruit for hungry deer
© 2018 Richard Havenga





Photo Locations: Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan  


Monday, November 26, 2018

Reaching for the Moon



An ornamental moon
emerges yellow from the lake;
grows white 
as it climbs the trees.

I stand alone

on the shore
as dusk wraps around 
my shoulders.

A band of rippled moonlight

captures my gaze,
embraces my emotions,
touches my soul.

I reach out
to contact the creator.

© 2018 Richard Havenga





You may also enjoy: "Moon's Desire" ~ August 6, 2018


Photo Location: Crooked Lake - Kent County - Michigan




Friday, November 23, 2018

This Interval of Now



A weeping willow
persists deep into November
listens to the cooling winds.

I watch the autumn breeze
weave slender twigs
into golden braids.




Although I feel time 
pulling me along,
I prefer to inhabit
this interval of now.
© 2018 Richard Havenga




You may also enjoy: 

"Lingering" ~ November 16, 2012

"Translation" ~ April 15, 2013



Photo Locations:

1. McCarthy Lake - Kent County, Michigan 

2. Crooked Lake - Kent County, Michigan  



Monday, November 19, 2018

Tabernash

With gratitude to John D'Amico


How many hundreds
of thousands
of dark green spires 
of Lodgepole Pines
needle the sky
in this broad basin?



Highlighted by November snows,
they clothe the rising foothills,
stand perfectly vertical
on steepening slopes,
climb to the timberline
on North Arapaho Peak,
withstand winter winds,
remain ever
green.



Serve as models of perseverance
as we bend under life's strains,
lean into biting winds,
fade from once colorful selves. 


Yielding to the years,
weathering with grace,
faithful to the end.

Tapering, arrow straight
pointing to heaven
everlasting.

A thousand thousand
points of praise.
© 2018 Richard Havenga




Photo Locations:

1. 2. 3. - TabernashColorado


Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Mozart



"When I am, as it were, 
completely by myself,
entirely alone, and of good cheer...
it is on such occasions that ideas
flow best and most abundantly." 

~ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)






Photo Locations

American Avocet

1. Gilbert Water Ranch - Arizona

2. Mono Lake - California



Monday, November 12, 2018

The Smuggler


I have detected winter
being secretly smuggled in;


fringed on the edge of leaves,



collecting in low-lying fields 
as fingers of frost,
filigreed on arching grasses.



We all knew it was coming,
so we allowed the smuggler
deeper penetration
into our lives.



Putting on our clothes
of protection...


accepting the present...

dreaming of the future.
© 2018 Richard Havenga


Photo LocationsTownsend Park


Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Silver the Wetlands



Late into autumn,
after the hard frosts,
dark brown cattails
silver the wetlands.

Seeds as light as air,
prepared for flight,
on the next breathe
of November wind.
© 2018 Richard Havenga





Photo Locations






Monday, November 5, 2018

Cradle the Clouds


Rolling fields of ripened corn
cradle the clouds of autumn.



A brief burst of morning sunshine
illuminates the horizon of trees.

A dark gray cloud ceiling
contrasts this ripening season.

Long leaves of field corn

wave their brittle arms.



The cold present blows
away the warm past.
© 2018 Richard Havenga



Photo Location:

1. On the Kent County / Ionia County line - Michigan

2. Lowell Township - Kent County, Michigan




Thursday, November 1, 2018

slow dancing


Loose columns of vapor;
ephemeral silver spirits
in translucent gowns,
slow dancing to 
autumn music. 


© 2018 Richard Havenga





Photo Location: Mc Carthy Lake - Grattan Township - Kent County- Michigan