Gifted

 

I write

my poems as gifts

for you,

dear reader.

And the thought

that you opened them

is a gift for

the poet.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Home Deck - Cannonsburg, Michigan

bones

 

skeleton of wood

these old bones of Cottonwood

fallen back to earth 

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Louisville, Colorado

Tideline

 

The tideline of the Pacific,

hissing upon the shore;

glistens briefly 

with reflected light,

then settles into

the saturated sand.

Repeating

the mundane miracle,

again, and

again.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Point Reyes National Seashore - California

2. LaJolla - California

3. Manhattan Beach - Oregon

Holding My Breath

 

I can almost hear a voice

emanating from these rays of light,

penetrating my consciousness.

I gather this outside sensation

and take it inside my soul,

believing it may hold answers.

So many miracles out here

competing for my attention.

I realize I'm holding my breath;

like a boy waiting for the next surprise.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Grand Teton National Park

Shattered

 to Volodymyr Zelenskyy

They built a refuge of hope,

watched their borders,

and waited for the world's response.

Tanks and shells,

bombs and artillery,

weapons and missiles;

an arsenal of destruction

rained upon their homeland,

destroyed their dreams.

They fought the ruthless enemy,

a merciless, brutal tyrant;

as civilians died

in their homes,

in their schools,

in their hospitals.

Their refuge of hope

was bombed and burned.

Citizens of Ukraine

now praying to God

through shattered windows.

Waking each morning

to face  vacant days

and hollow tomorrows. 

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Temple of Trees

 

While walking within

this temple of trees,

I stop and stand;

astonished among these

copper-colored steeples

that stand like monuments

reaching into the blue skies

of Colorado and Montana.

Ponderosa Pines,

perhaps a century old,

stand in solemn splendor

as I inhale the essence

of their vanilla-honey aroma

emitted from the sun-warmed bark.

I resume my walk

through these pillars of strength,

over the foothills

scattered with Ponderosa,

through the seasons of my life,

always grateful to enter

this temple of trees. 

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Hamilton, Montana

2. 3. & 4. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

Inheritance

 

I am ever grateful

for this undeserved inheritance.

Learning everyday, every season,

to love the sacred spaces.

The places I enter quietly

with respect and reverence.

Open to the words that emerge

from the vault of blue sky.

God's great provision

with no need to possess.

An invitation from the silent light.

The path opening as I take it.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: 

1. Fort Myers, Florida

2. Taylor River - Tin Cup, Colorado

  

Currents

 

Age, a slow current

through my body.

Blood, a slow stream

through my vessels.

Hope, a steady flow

through my soul.

Honey Creek, a dark ribbon

weaving through white winter woods. 

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: 

Honey Creek - Seidman Park - Kent County - Michigan

March Morning

 

This March morning:

Soft as snowflakes

clinging to each other,

and to this woven-wire fence.

Not a breath of wind to disturb

this steel and crystal sculpture.

Until one ounce 

of a Tree Sparrow

lands and leaves.

Its wingbeat producing

a brief flutter of air.

Wild grape vines,

trailing along the fence,

still hold their snow.

Sparse evidence of life here now,

except for my big boot prints

on the white ground;

soon to be filled with possibility.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

 

Photo Locations:

1. 2. 3. Canon Township - Kent County - Michigan