Way up here,
in northeast New England,
I climb the granite slope
that slides into the Atlantic.
Kelp clings to wet boulders
at low tide.
At the top of the ridge,
pines and spruce anchor in the sparse soil.
A thin fog creates
a satin veil over the water.
Small islands, mounded and forested,
rise from the quiet bay.
First impressions
are lasting impressions
from my first visit to
Acadia National Park.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
Acadia National Park - Bar Harbor, Maine
A Ruby-throated Hummingbird
just came to my library window
to thank me for the four feeders
I filled and maintained for five months.
"Your presence was my pleasure,"
I say, as I wonder which day
in September will be their last,
before they fly away.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Location: Home Feeder - Cannonsburg, Michigan
In memory of Lillian Havenga: October 22, 2022 ~ September 2, 2021
For support while walking,
she leaned on the walls
of her dementia,
with small, shuffling steps.
Eventually, the walls
closed in around her,
until she no longer
felt stable when standing.
Lying on her back
in the narrow bed,
she hopes the ceiling
will hold back the walls.
She tries to accept
this next stage of life;
with diminishing dignity
and just a touch of grace.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
I have so much space
out here in the quiet country.
Over ten acres of our own woods
to walk, to explore, to learn.
Sometimes during my walks,
I just stop and contemplate
the blessings of this experience.
Each season provides a reason
to get outside and love this place.
I'm learning to listen better.
Not just to our loyal birds,
that I truly love,
but also listening to the quiet.
A privileged pleasure
that I always treasure.
I promise to take care of this space
and to share what I learn with grace,
until I can no longer roam,
and I'm brought back home;
returned to my starting place.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. & 7. All photographed in our Home Woods.
This Song Sparrow is calling out
to the whole world,
which to him
is a few acres.
And I'm the only human
to hear his proclamation.
He doesn't seem to mind
my trespassing in his kingdom.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Location: Home Acres - Cannonsburg, Michigan
Confortably content
in this remote wilderness,
we climb the shoulder
of this massive mountain.
Feel its dependable permanence.
We've escaped the noise
of the world left behind
and follow this hiking trail
into the silence.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. West Elk Wilderness Area - Colorado
2. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming
Under this dome of blue sky,
splashed with clouds of white,
a long strip of sand and
a vast expanse of ocean in sight.
A palette of blues playing
with shadows and light.
Filling me with
inexpressible delight.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Sunset Beach, North Carolina
2. & 3. Vero Beach, Florida
Standing firmly
on the sand dunes
above Lake Michigan,
I'm intrigued, again, to view
the barely perceptible
curvature of the earth.
Contemplating the infinite horizon
where water meets the sky
at the edge of time.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Location:
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Empire, Michigan
A mid-August rain
soaks the thirsty soil.
Signs its signature by
churning the lake's surface.
Listen to it hissing, swishing.
Water splashing water.
Rain softening the earth.
Earth sighing and soothed.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Pickerel Lake Park - Kent County - Michigan
2. Murray Lake - Kent County - Michigan
3. Villa Grove, Colorado
I'm walking
in the welcome shade of August
along this quiet country road.
Dense clusters
of Common Orange Daylilies
flourish in the heat;
one new bloom each day
on each plant stem.
A late summer orchestra
of orange trumpets flaring
at the top of each stalk.
An abundance of ordinary
at the side of the road,
ready for your investigation,
worthy of your appreciation.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
Home Road - Cannonsburg, Michigan
a wedge of warm wind
whispers through the cottonwoods
settles to silence
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
Broken Bow, Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway ~ Nebraska
When the Canyon Wren
hurls its song into the air,
in the echoing space
between sandstone walls,
it sounds like a prayer,
a praise song,
a blessing heard
but not seen.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations: Garden of the Gods Park - Colorado Springs, Colorado
Writing free verse poetry
is mostly about finding
the preferred word,
and avoiding the rhyme
most of the time.
Sometimes it works out,
but when you're about
to end a line, another word
enters your surprised mind.
So I just go with the flow
and let the poem grow,
knowing that soon
I'll have to prune.
Or start all over again,
and trace where I've been.
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Amen.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. White Sands National Park, New Mexico
2. Home Garden
3. Home Library - Cannonsburg, Michigan
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
