Diminished

 

Oxbow, my friend,

I have traveled far 

to visit you

several times over the years.

Your vast, blue skies

spattered with small clouds,

reflected in the Snake River,

have energized me in the past.

Your pelicans, cormorants,

eagles, mergansers,

moose and river otters,

have enlivened my days.

Your Grand Teton outlines,

always spectacular and dramatic,

have inspired my soul,

enriched my mind.

This past summer,

a summer of smoke and haze,

I suffer for you;

for the visibility lost,

for the grandeur

of the Grand Tetons

diminished.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1, 2, 3, & 4. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

hors d'oeuvres

two dying minnows

trapped in the pelican's pouch

fresh hors d'oeuvres for lunch

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Brown Pelican - Lover's Key State Park - Florida

Taking Time

 

I wander the woods with wonder.

Taking my time, taking my poetry notebook.

Allowing my senses their freedom

to absorb, to accept this invitation.

I scrape dead leaves into a cushion,

and sit against a solid trunk of White Oak;

feeling the furrows and ridges of the bark

press into the muscles of my back.

Taking time to quiet my mind,

I let worldly thoughts settle into the soil.

Occupying this profound stillness,

I'm prepared for inspiration's embrace.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1, 2, & 3. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

God Knows

sight and insight bring

unanticipated gifts;

only God knows how

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Taylor Park Reservoir - Tin Cup, Colorado

fingers

 

fingers of wet snow

dangle from blue spruce needles

winter continues

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Blue Statue

 

The Great Blue Heron statue,

standing still in shallow water,

begins a slow-motion ballet.

A picture of patience,

leaning over its own reflection,

holding a pose of predation.

Cattail leaves swaying gently,

frame the backdrop for

the anticipated attack.

Living spear thrusts.

Calm water splashes.

Heron pierces prey.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. Estero, Florida

3. & 4. Rogue River - Rockford, Michigan

the coming darkness

eager to arrive,

here comes the darkness of night,

planning to prevail

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Longmont, Colorado 

Stream Songs

 

Last September, I was blessed

to be listening to the song 

of mountain streams. 

They like to sing all day,

and through the night

when I've gone away.

Sometimes it sounds

like a memory of all

that has passed.

Other times

it's like a prayer

for all that is to come.

I will keep listening,

and remembering,

and praying,

that someday I may live 

near mountain streams,

and listen to their mountain songs.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. South Fork ~ Payette River - Idaho

3. Blackfoot River - Missoula, Montana

4. Arkansas River - Buena Vista, Colorado

blue

 

liquid to solid

blue ripples into crystals

water into ice

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Pickerel Lake Park / Fred Meijer Nature Preserve - Kent County - Michigan