"I Am Here"

While walking these rolling foothills,

ribbons of wind caress my face.

Morning light illuminates the

expansive dimensions of clouds.

Sunshine warms the cinnamon bark

of sturdy Ponderosa Pines.

My eyes are captivated by

vibrant wildflowers at my feet.

I inhale the 

masculine scent of sage.

My hearing is alerted by

small segments of birdsong.

As I continue on this path,

God says: "I am here."

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 6. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

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

5. Goodwillie Environmental School - Ada, Michigan

Syllables

 

A Mourning Dove walks

pink-footed through the sand,

unfurling soft syllables

into the September sun.

I glance up from my writing,

look through the binoculars,

and watch the breast feathers

settle back into place.

I look back at my work,

and attempt to write

my own syllables,

but they fall short.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

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

Whispered Words

 

Walking slowly, stopping often,

under the green canopy

of these familiar woods.

I'm listening to the quiet.

Waiting for inspiration.

Absorbing secrets from the land.

Then a subtle breeze

begins to whisper words

I try to understand.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Bathed in the Light

It's impossible to take

the vast outdoors

inside ourselves,

but it is possible

to take ourselves

into the vast outdoors,

where you can be

bathed in the light

that streams in soft rays

between the trees

that are likely 

older than you,

and sending you

this personal

invitation.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Home Woods/Home Road - Cannonsburg, Michigan

States of Mind

High in these Colorado mountains,

we are closer to Heaven.

Low in southwest Florida,

we are closer to the ocean.

Among Utah's red rock formations,

we're surrounded by natural stone sculptures.

Out in Arizona's dry deserts,

we're intrigued by species of cactus.

Home, in Michigan's two peninsulas,

we are proud of our Great Lakes.

Together, among our aging selves,

we are blessed with opportunities to travel.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. West Elk Wilderness - Colorado

2. Arches National Park - Utah

3. Saguaro National Park - east - Arizona

4. Lake Michigan - Michigan

 

soli gloria deo

 

God's gifts become visible

to those who pay attention.

When we witness the extraordinary

in ordinary days.

Motivated by curiosity,

awareness, and focus.

For the miracles in creation:

"soli gloria deo".

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Common Orange Daylily -Home Woods

2. & 3. Home Lawn

Clouds of Poetry

 

The sky-blue sky

reads like a sentence from summer,

punctuated with commas of cumulus.

The sky-blue lake

collects the scroll of clouds

on its mirrored surface.

I'm floating in my kayak

on the sky-blue sky,

paddling between clouds of poetry.

Then the wind exhales

and brushes the clouds

into ripples of scribbles.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

McCarthy Lake - Kent County - Michigan

 

Prairie Voices

 

Out here on the lonely plains,

smoothed hills roll

along the horizon.

The prairie wind

sings a plaintive song

through miles of fence lines.

Voices from the past;

homesteaders and ranchers,

can be heard

in the rusting blades

of these remnant

windmills. 

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Plains, Kansas