Surrendered

 

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

Gift to the Writer

 

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

Arriving

 

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) 

Reaching

 

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

Poet Trees

 

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

Enough

 

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

Morning Jewels

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