secrets shared

Segments of sunshine
are blinking through old white pines,

then the land
exhales a soft breath.

I hear it whispering
among fine, glossy needles,

and listen for secrets shared
between trees and breeze.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: White Pine - Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan

"Why do you drive?"

They ask:
"Why do you drive, when you could fly?" 
I answer:

 to see the breadth of the land,

 to feel the expanse of the sky,

 to experience the weather,

 to sense the mass of the mountains,

to encounter the wildlife,

to hold all this in my mind,
to contain it in my soul,
to share it with you.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Monument Valley - Utah

2. Flathead Lake - Montana

3. Flaming Gorge - Utah

4. Pray, Montana

5. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

follow

Photo Location:

LaJolla, California 

Rapid

The moon rises steadily
through the horizon of trees.

While the bright rapids
in the dark river

play marvelous music
with no instruments;

except for the permanence
of boulders resisting water.

Your life passing rapidly.
Time flowing swiftly
in one direction.

Resisting time
while waiting for your
approach to heaven.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Cannonsburg, Michigan 

2. Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming

3. Buena Vista, Colorado

Hearts and Bones

You know how the words
inside the body of a poem
can pulse with rhythm
and resonate with music;

how they frame the 
experience of the poet;
how the words carry
the presence of place
into your mind;
and carry you 
into the mystery?

This is the work of words:

Constructing meaning.
Creating a connection
between writer and reader.

Sharpening your senses.
Igniting your imagination.

Entering your hearts
and your bones.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

You may also enjoy this post about Writing: "Harvest" ~ October 27, 2014



Photo Locations: 

Home Perennial Gardens - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Bleeding Hearts - Lamprocapnos spectabilis

Fence Line

Erected years ago
to control cattle.

Now weathered by
sun, snow, wind and rain.

Aging with dignity,
graying gracefully.

Former trees holding
knots within wood grain.

Part-time perches for
hawks, meadowlarks and bluebirds.

A straight line
pointing to the future.

Measuring the passage of time,
and the geography of hope.

© 2019 Richard Havenga 

Photo Locations:

1. Stanley, Idaho

2. Telluride, Colorado

3. Pagosa Springs, Colorado

4. Estes Park, Colorado

5. Del Norte, Colorado

6. Centennial, Wyoming

7. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

riding the wind

gulls riding the wind

white as angels in the sky

their cries pierce the dawn

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Anna Maria Island - Florida

Moving Words

My words are clinging
to forested foothills,

collecting in cool creeks,

riding rapid rivers,

navigating twists and turns;

joyful in the journey,
giving proper praise
along the path.

Before gathering
in the gulf.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

2. Bear Creek - Kent County, Michigan 

3. Arkansas River - Buena Vista, Colorado

4. Crested Butte, Colorado

5. Bonita Springs, Florida