I'm here again,
in the heat of summer,
to give commendation
to the commonplace;
Chicory and Queen Anne's Lace.
Which beautify the borders
of these slow country roads
in July and August
around my place.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations: Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan
I believe in the power of words
to awaken our slumbering souls.
The inexpressible joy
at the birth of your child.
The shattering, shocking blow
at the tragic loss of your child.
The depth of desire
in a sincere, meaningful love.
The loyal contentment
of a trustworthy marriage.
The dependable certainty
from a reliable faith.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Shadows of twilight
smothered the foothills,
climbed the mountain heights.
Last spears of sunlight
pierced thickening clouds,
then surrendered to the night.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Sometimes, my poems
rise softly, subtly,
like the slow approach
of a summer dawn.
Frequently, they fly about
erratically, sporadically,
like Little Brown Bats
darting and diving during dusk.
Occasionally, the words
may illuminate the lines
like early morning light
on jeweled prisms of dew.
Always, know that
I share my offerings
with humble gratitude
that you are here.
Indelibly, the best gift
to the writer
is the presence
of a gracious reader.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Have you allowed time
to blossom in your memories?
Recalling the precious moments
when you felt alive and real?
Bringing your quiet past
into a shared life of joy.
Writing poems can do this.
In the gardens of your mind.
The words are always arriving,
ready to bloom.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Location: Luton Park - Rockford, Michigan
(Orange Butterflyweed)
Through the smallest
parts of creation,
God reaches out to you.
When you reach down to touch
the soft petals of a flower
that is just opening,
you are showing gratitude
for these simple gifts
and touching the hand of God.
Nature's beauty is not essential.
It is grace, amplified
by the Creator.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Lafayette, Colorado
2. Home Garden - Cannonsburg, Michigan
I have removed the obstacles.
Tossed aside the branches and sticks.
Raked away the fallen debris.
And now the trail is smooth for you.
Won't you please enter my poet trees?
The words are clear and accessible.
The light shimmers through the trees.
An inviting path of discovery;
a gift for you,
from me.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Ohio Creek Pass - Crested Butte, Colorado
2. Snake River Overlook - Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming
I'm perfectly content, at least satisfied,
to let the inexplicable mysteries of nature
remain mysterious, unresolved.
Not every thing, or process, or event
can be transcribed into language,
and understood using mere words.
To acknowledge beauty,
to cultivate awareness,
to believe in miracles.
That is enough for me.
The transformative power
of paying attention;
that is contentment,
that is enough.
To approach the divine
is more than enough.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Location: Pacific Ocean - La Jolla, California
In the quiet stillness
of this summer morning,
pearls of dew are cradled
in arching blades of grass.
No breath of breeze
will roll them from their nest.
Only the climbing sun
and passing time
will make these
morning jewels disappear.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. & 2. Home Fields - Cannonsburg, Michigan
Tucked under dark green leaves,
laying on their bed of straw,
warm June sunshine
ripens bright red berries.
Sweet, juicy and lucious.
Easy to pick with your fingers.
Delicious to taste with your tongue.
Sweet summer strawberries.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Location: Kent County - Michigan
The congregation of devoted Christians
filled this historic church.
They sang with exuberant voices,
exalting His name with praise.
Their passionate faith was unmistakeable
by any visitors who sat in the pews.
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The majestic steeple of St. Patrick's
transported our praise and our prayers
through the blue vault of the sky
toward their heavenly destination.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Location: St. Patrick's Catholic Church ~ Parnell, Michigan
You may also enjoy:
"The Bells of St. Patrick's" - May 14, 2015
"The Steps of St. Patrick's" - November 6, 2017
"The Windows of St. Patrick's" - September 17, 2018
Resilient reeds rise
from the silky water
of evening.
Contours of
cream-colored clouds
undulate on the surface.
Floating reflections
stroking the
wavering reeds.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Location: Pickerel Lake Park - Kent County - Michigan
Here;
under the magnificent dome
of a sky-blue sky.
Here, where the slightly curved horizon
meets the broad sweep of ocean.
I admire bands of blue;
aquamarine watercolors
changing by the hour.
Sweeping toward
the shore I'm standing on.
Blessed and grateful
to be present here.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
After wading thigh-deep in the gulf,
screening the bottom sand for shells,
I angle back into the shore
to show you my best
treasure of the day,
to be added to my collection.
Then I offer you a salty kiss.
A shared treasure.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Sanibel Island, Florida
2. North Fort Myers, Florida
Across this broad field of sage,
a Western Meadowlark is perched;
on a fencepost, on a barbed wire.
From this distance
I can barely make out
his sunrise-yellow breast
with the black tie
pointing down his neck.
I delight in his melodious call,
streaming over the plains;
a long banner of song
curling into the warm wind.
This gift of music,
given by the meadowlark,
received with gratitude.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations: Hesperus, Colorado
Within this soft peace,
I seek contentment
inside my solitude.
I step cautiously between
the Jack-in-the-Pulpits
and Trillium's white purity.
I listen attentively
to the Scarlet Tanager
and the Red-eyed Vireo.
The Holy Spirit enlightens me;
brings inspiration
to my words.
I glorify the Creator,
and express gratitude
for these precious gifts.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. & 4. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
2. & 3. Grand River Basin - Lowell, Michigan
Through the dense green foliage
of my Red Oak woods,
at first I cannot spot
the Scarlet Tanager
as he unravels his song,
then my eyes are carried
up into the canopy
of glossy leaves
where he sings his song
of short phrases
alternating high and low.
A performance that will last
through the dense green summer,
when I'll be privileged to get
a few, brief glimpses of
his elegant gown;
splendid elements
of black and scarlet red.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Scarlet Tanager Song:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Scarlet_Tanager/sounds
Photo Locations: Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
Under a sky-blue ceiling,
I open the green doors of spring.
The first words to appear
are like veins extending
in newly born leaves;
expanding to capture sunlight.
I feel the sense of longing;
the desire to hold back time.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan
2. & 3. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
Wild Blue Phlox
appear here
in late May abundance.
Silent in their growing
in the sun-dappled shade
at the edge of the woods.
Purple, lavender, a few whites.
Common and familiar,
but when hand-picked
with your favorite pruners,
selected and collected,
and arranged in
an antique vase,
their beauty warms the room
and our familiar hearts.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations: Home Woods & Home.
Behold.
The mystery;
the potential miracle
of unhatched eggs.
Placed in a soft cup
of dried grasses,
into a woven
basket of hope.
Elegant eggs
dappled and splotched
with earthy colors.
Being incubated,
nurtured for the
invisible future.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations: Home Gardens - Cannonsburg, Michigan
When Mary retired in 2008,
she didn't slow down.
She still loves to go Birding
every spring.
Here, she is hiking Angel's Landing
in Zion National Park.
She plays tennis in Michigan,
Arizona and Florida.
Enjoys a spectacular view,
in sometimes risky locations!
Enjoys a stroll along Lake Michigan,
or the Atlantic Ocean.
Knows how to relax along a river,
and read a good book outdoors.
Knows her mind, and does not
straddle the fence.
Knows how to have fun.
Is a very classy lady.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
