Cottonwoods

 

Leaving the hardwood forests

of my native Michigan,

I curl under the curve

of Lake Michigan on the map.

After enduring Chicago traffic,

I drive past the lush and productuve

soybean and corn fields

of northern Illinois and Iowa,

then the land opens up before me

in the near western plains.

The flat, Platte River weaves

its shallow course through Nebraska.

Large, durable Cottonwoods,

toughened by less rainfall,

line the river's banks;

their broad, brittle leaves

clatter in the wind.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. 2. & 3. North Platte, Nebraska

Autumn Gold Attitude

 

You are that leaf

freshly fallen

onto the small stream.

Floating first on smooth water,

then riding the ripples

above a bed of pebbles,

then over rocks

and rising rapids

to be churned and turned

and twisted underwater.

At last settling

near a sidebank

in a festival of colors

where your

autumn gold attitude

still reflects the sun.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Grand River - Knapp Street Bridge - Kent County, Michigan

2. Page Creek - Fallasburg Park - Kent County - Michigan

3. Bear Creek - Townsend Park - Kent County - Michiagn

Climbing Columns of Crimson

 

September is their season.

Clinging to tree trunks and large limbs.

The flamboyant Virginia Creeper.

Climbing columns of crimson.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

2. Vergennes Township - Kent County - Michigan

3. Ada, Michigan

You may also like my creative non-fiction essay titled: 

"Virginia Creeper" published October 9, 2012. Here is the link: 

"Virginia Creeper"

Willing Witness

 

If I should ever be summoned,

I would be a willing witness.

When placed on the stand,

I would raise my right hand,

and swear to tell the truth,

and the whole truth,

so God would help me recall

the multiple miracles of creation

that I've witnessed outdoors

during my life of abundant blessings.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

2. SaddleBrooke, Arizona 

Losing Transparency

 

When the rainshowers began,

the lake lost its transparency,

removed its reflection.

Ten-thousand shivers

danced on the water.

Absolute acceptance.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: 

1. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

2. Pickerel Lake Park (Fred Meijer Nature Preserve) - Kent County - Michigan

Impressions

 

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

Last Days

 

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

Diminishing Dignity / A Touch of Grace

 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

Place

 

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.