Hopeful Voices

  

It's on these early spring days

that we reconnect with the renewable earth,

as cold soil softens and awakens,

that we sip at the drink of hope.

Eager for the buds to swell

on the tips of tapered twigs.

Earnest for the buds to unfurl

their tender young leaves.

The spring warblers will return

to feed among the trees

for hidden insects and larvae,

and to sing their songs of hope.

Repeating songs of past years.

Fulfilling our anticipation and longing,

as they cast their hopeful voices

into the warming spring air.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Red Maple ~ "Mom & Dad's Farm"

2. American Beech ~ Home Woods

3. Cape May Warbler ~ Cannonsburg (Egypt Valley) State Game Area

oh hepatica !

 

oh hepatica

touch my delicate fabric

of purple petals

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. 2. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

Mapping the Heart

 

Have you ever tried to map

the vast territory of your heart?

Examined its varied geography?

Searched its peaks and valleys?

Recalled how your journey began?

Reflected on the turns you've taken?

Did you follow the directions

you were given?

Have you reached your

desired destination?

Enjoyed the measured miles

along the long route?

Are you still planning new trips?

Do you remember the way home?

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Canyon de Chelly National Monument - Chinle, Arizona

2. Zion National Park - Utah

3. Dallas, Colorado

4. Cottonwood Pass - Colorado

5. Garden of the Gods - Colorado Springs, Colorado

6. Steamboat Springs, Colorado

7. Home Road - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Return

 

When you finally witness

the welcome return

of spring flowers

in your garden;

hyacinths, daffodils, tulips,

do you sense God

reaching out to you

with these glamorous gifts

of benevolence, tenderness,

and fresh, vibrant color

for your grateful eyes?

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

Home Garden - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Inheritance

 

As you drive through,

or better yet, hike into

our national parks,

the spectacular land

that surrounds you

is your national inheritance.

If you're a senior,

your admittance is a pittance.

So get out there

and claim your legacy.

Let your legs take you

along tranquil trails,

so that your eyes may inherit

what is admirable and praiseworthy.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 5. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

2. & 6. Glacier National Park - Montana

3. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

4. Zion National Park - Utah

Our Cardinals

 

Our cardinals

begin singing at dawn

and linger into dusk.

The last to dine at the feeders.

They like to nest

in the dense branches

of our viburnum and hawthorn.

Weaving strands of wild grape vines.

Cardinals are common,

loyal and hardy.

They look spectacular

in the white of winter.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: 

1. 2. 3. Home

4. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

Long Winter ~ Spring Rains

 

It's been a long winter;

sometimes violent,

sometimes silent.

But now, spring rains

have greened the grass.

Tulip bulbs, planted last fall,

have bulged deep in the soil

sending pale green hands above ground.

Spring Peepers and Chorus Frogs

have resumed the production

of their wetland musical.

And soon, not quite, but soon,

woodland wildflowers will emerge

from the carpet of dead oak leaves.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. 2. Home Garden

3. 4. Trout Lilies - Home Woods

sitting on a log

 

little boy sitting

on a log above the stream

living the moment 

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Happy 48th Birthday to our son in Heaven.

Photo Location:  

Honey Creek - Seidman Park - Ada, Michigan (Aaron Havenga 3 years old)