Entering Townsend Park
in mid-October,
I find Sugar Maple placemats
on the picnic tables,
and accept the invitation
to dine in these
five-star accommodations.
Eager to write
a marvelous review
about the ambiance;
a feast for my eyes.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. & 2. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan
3. Fallasburg Park - Kent County - Michigan
Yes, we are all dazzled
during these glorious days of autumn.
We knew this was coming;
waited with patient anticipation.
Now we are surrounded
with the splendor of the leaves.
Wanting to slow down time,
to make the show last longer.
To linger in warm yellows,
bold reds, soft oranges, and russets.
To store it in our memories
until it returns next year.
One more palette of color.
Give me one more October, please.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Pickerel Lake Park - Kent County - Michigan
3. 4. & 5. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan
6. Egypt Valley Country Club - Kent County - Michgian
7. Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan
In the quiet air of an autumn afternoon,
something seems to be asking for my attention.
Something hidden in the vacant spaces
between leaves turning from green to gold.
Waiting for confirmation,
validation, affirmation.
It could be the inscrutable presence,
the essence of the Holy Spirit.
I will offer my benevolent attendance
through a fervent prayer of acceptance.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
2. Fallasburg Park - Kent County - Michigan
3. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan
for Mary Havenga
How she became
one of the best
pray-ers of prayers:
She offered words of comfort
to those in sorrow or need.
A message of hope to those discouraged.
She prayed with naturalness,
like Jesus was giving her
the words to say.
She found the right words,
spoken with sincerity,
and people listened intently.
Friends she prayed for
felt a calming peace.
A restfulness in their souls.
And among the names
on her long prayer list,
some of her prayers were answered.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Penetrating rays of sun
have bronzed the early fog.
I'm embraced by the quiet
of a cool October morning.
A perfect place to pray
prayers of thanks to begin the day.
Until two crows break the silence
with their own invocation.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan
2. Lowell Township - Kent County - Michigan
On this sunny, sloping vineyard,
rising above Lake Michigan,
these luscious, juicy grapes
find perfect growing conditions
to become fine red wine
from Old Mission Peninsula.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. 2. & 3. Old Mission Peninsula - Michigan
4. Home Deck - Cannonsburg, Michigan
In memory of Richard J. Havenga (June 5, 1923 ~ June 13, 2006)
For his 60th birthday,
our family gave Dad
a hot-air balloon ride.
I've never seen him
so happy, so excited,
with a smile illuminating his face.
He's lifting the fabric
so turbulent hot air
can fill the balloon.
He filled his family,
giving from meager means;
generous with the little he had.
Dad is glowing with
eager anticipation
of climbing into the sky.
Then the lift-off.
It's really happening.
He's riding the wind.
We watch Dad rise
and drift with the breeze
above the family he loved.
Over the land he farmed,
and the barn he filled
with hay and cattle.
Over the land he loved,
the fields he hunted,
the Grand River he fished.
Dad is still riding the wind.
Looking down at his family,
as we wait to join him up there.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Location: Dad's Farm
When you take the time
to read my poetry,
I hope you find some
nourishment for your soul.
I've planted the words,
nurtured the lines,
pulled the weeds,
watered and fertilized,
through revisions
you cannot see.
And when the fruit is ripe,
may you taste the sweetness
that I intended during its growth.
And now, could you please share
this nectar of the soul?
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. & 2. Kropf Orchards - Kent County - Michigan
Oh, the many benefits
of reading outdoors:
The sun shining brightly
on the pages of your book.
Tree shadows passing
over the paragraphs.
Perhaps golden leaves
landing in your lap.
A small choir of birds
singing in the background.
Or a clamorous crowd of geese
causing you to look up.
Occasional bursts of wind
turning the pages for you.
Dragonflies landing on the lines,
walking on the words.
Maybe a cool stream
trickling over your toes.
Or the sound of gentle ripples
entering your ears.
All these welcome distractions
affecting your concentration.
Causing you to get paper and pen.
Following the urge to write outdoors.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Fallasburg Park - Lowell, Michigan
2. Tassell Park - Cascade, Michigan
3. Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve - Parnell, Michigan
4. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
5. SaddleBrooke - Arizona
