Into the Silence

 

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 the Dome

 

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

Edge of Time

 

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

Soothed

 

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

Orange Orchestra

 

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

cottonwoods

 

a wedge of warm wind

whispers through the cottonwoods

settles to silence

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

Broken Bow, Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway ~ Nebraska

Canyon Prayer

 

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

Avoiding Rhyme

 

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.

Amen.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. White Sands National Park, New Mexico

2. Home Garden

3. Home Library - Cannonsburg, Michigan