Strawberry Summer

 

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 Steeple of St. Patrick's

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.

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

 

Floating Reflections

 

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

 

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

Shared Treasure

 

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

Banner of Song

 

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

Inside My Solitude

 

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

Elegant Gown

 

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

Green Doors of Spring

 

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