Water Striders skate
in jerky strides
over the silky surface
of calmer water
along the shoulders
of the stream.
Along the inside curves,
I lean in slowly;
close enough to see
their delicate feet
dimple the surface film
of the water.
Shadow patterns
outlined in light,
form distinct
ovals and circles
on the bottom silt.
© 2019 Richard Havenga
You may also enjoy two previous posts about Water Striders:
Striders ~ June 19, 2012
Striders II ~ June 15, 2015
Photo Locations:
Supple Jewelweed;
these tiny trumpets,
soft and succulent,
lush and luxurious,
droplets of orange,
inviting bees
and hummingbirds
into small caves of nectar.
© 2018 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations: Canon Township - Kent County - Michigan
Look.
Look at everything
placed along your path,
before your line of sight,
around you, surrounding you.
Escape from your home,
your work,
your car,
your phone!
Enter the wild woods and fields.
For an hour, leave your touch-screen
and touch green leaves.
Feel the minute hairs on the leaf,
the serrated edge, the slender petiole
connected to the twig of the branch;
branching from the trunk
that broke through the soil --
(50 years before television),
(90 years before internet) --
as a tiny shoot;
carrying hope
through its vessels,
and flowing with faith
for the future.
© 2019 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. & 2. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
3. Fallasburg Park - Kent County - Michigan
4. Lowell Township - Kent County - Michigan
A swallow is flying
in a cursive "S"
above the shallow shoreline,
wingtips brushing the surface,
sweeping, swooping, scooping
insects in the humid summer air.
© 2019 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
Preserve the dawn.
Extend the dusk.
Embrace the midday sun.
Let me linger longer
within this atmospheric
light show.
Not through mere windows,
but outdoors, encompassed by
this magnificent dome of blue
connecting distant horizons.
Eventually,
familiar constellations
will appear,
and I will wait
with hopeful anticipation
for another tomorrow.
© 2019 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Photo Locations:
1. Amway World Headquarters - Ada, Michigan
2. Rockford, Michigan
The perfume of honeysuckle
draws me closer
to these common blossoms.
The blossoms of the common
become uncommon
when isolated as individuals,
when viewed up close.
Here, along the edge
of the woods,
here, in the understory,
below the canopy of trees;
here, where there's
just enough light
for these pure white
blossoms to flourish,
I pause to examine
the inflorescence
-- this poetic word
borrowed from Botany --
the unique structural design
of the flower's parts,
irregular, intricate, interesting,
immaculate, incredible, impressive.
This Poet of Botany
sees the ordinary
as extraordinary;
gives this
uncommon gift
to you.
© 2019 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
