Monday, October 27, 2025

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


 


Thursday, October 23, 2025

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


Monday, October 20, 2025

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


 

Thursday, October 16, 2025

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



Monday, October 13, 2025

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




 

Thursday, October 9, 2025

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

Monday, October 6, 2025

summer dunes

 


shadows of grasses

dancing on warm summer dunes

choreography

© 2025 Richard Havenga


Photo Location:

Whitefish Point - Upper Peninsula - Michigan

Thursday, October 2, 2025

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