Outdoor Ballet

 

Here it comes again;

the annual autumn

medley of leaves.

All the talk is about the colors,

the intensity, the "peak week",

where to drive or walk

for the perfect peek.

Or simply watching

these golden slippers;

a gathering of grace

as they flutter-fall to earth.

A short-lived display.

An outdoor ballet.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Wabasis Lake Park - Kent County - Michigan

2. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

3. Ada Township - Kent County - Michigan

4. East Grand Rapids, Michigan

 

Moving Meditation

 

Hiking in these mountains

is like moving meditation.

The small sound

of boots on stony ground.

Golden aspen leaves

fluttering in a light breeze

become a soft orchestra 

in the background.

High in the cloudless sky,

a Red-tailed Hawk

pierces the moment

with its captivating cry.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Ouray, Colorado

2. Ridgway, Colorado

3. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

Full Release

 

In September,

especially if it's been dry,

trees lose their leaves

singly, and casually.

But by mid-October

it becomes full release.

A massive display,

an elegant ballet

of twists and turns.

Colored leaves

sifting through branches.

Falling gracefully

through cool autumn air.

I imagine each leaf

a moving prayer.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Tiffany Avenue - Kent County - Michigan

2. Wabasis Lake Park - Kent County - Michigan

3. Home Trees - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

 

Ready

 

I am eager to discover,

in the heavenly realm,

the mysteries experienced in this world

during our human existence. 

Will we understand then

what we cannot comprehend now?

The miracles of creation on earth?

Our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit?

When all is finally revealed,

the joy will be overwhelming.

I am ready.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Grand River - Grand Rapids, Michigan

2. Santa Catalina Mountains - Oro Valley, Arizona

3. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

Down the Line

Back in the days

when I was running longer miles,

I remember an American Kestrel

perched on a wire above

the gravel road I was on.

As I ran closer,

he lifted up effortlessly

on blue-gray wings

contrasting with his bronze back,

and flew farther down the line,

perhaps four hundred yards.

When I caught up to him,

he went airborne again,

his tail flared like a fan,

continued three hundred yards

down the line,

and perched on the wire.

I felt bad that I was

disrupting his hunting, and

searching for prey in the short grass

along this country road.

Finally, the Kestrel hovered

briefly, before returning,

back to his original perch.

Free again from disruptions.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: Marco Island, Florida

 

rsvp

 

My God sends me

frequent invitations

to open the door

and go outside.

I always rsvp, and bring along,

as the invitation requests,

the gift of my senses;

my awareness and appreciation

of his awesome creation.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Ada Township - Kent County - Michigan

2. Creede, Colorado

summer dunes

 

shadows of grasses

dancing on warm summer dunes

choreography

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Whitefish Point - Upper Peninsula - Michigan

Through the Valley

 

When the burning tears

of extreme grief

fall from our blurry eyes,

God's kind mercy

will carry us

through the valley,

beyond the shadows,

and after an appointed

period of time,

into the warm light

of healing compassion.

We do not walk alone.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Saguache, Colorado

2. Taylor River Reservoir - Colorado