This land rolls away
in red soil and rabbitbrush.
Utah Junipers are scattered,
nearly equally-spaced,
over the wave of hills,
taprooting just enough moisture
from deep in the ground
to survive slowly, deliberately.
We admire their tenacity;
surviving for ages.
© 2026 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Dinosaur National Monument - Utah
2. Canyonlands National Park - Utah
A sudden whoosh of wings.
A swarm of fluttering feathers.
As a close cluster of blackbirds
flies from a dark tree
into the gray sky.
In this organized chaos,
how do they not touch
their wingtips?
© 2026 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
San Pedro River Riparian National Conservation Area
San Pedro House - Sierra Vista, Arizona
Suffering attracts compassion.
Grief invites kindness.
I've been on both sides.
I know how it feels.
To give.
To receive.
© 2026 Richard Havenga
My legs brush the sage
hanging over the trail.
I crush the pale green leaves
and rub them between my hands.
Inhale the masculine scent
that blankets these high plains.
Continue along this trail
that rises with the foothills.
The higher mountains beyond,
remain always in view.
While following the path
scented with sage.
© 2026 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. & 2. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming
3. San Juan National Forest - Colorado
Enchanted by mountain streams,
I sit in my camp chair
and watch the Blackfoot River
flowing past Ponderosa Pines,
carrying water music to my ears.
On the high slopes,
Aspens whisper secrets
between branches of trembling leaves.
I wait with patience
for some suitable words to appear.
Words worthy of mountain streams
lined with Aspen and Ponderosa.
© 2026 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Blackfoot River - Greenough, Montana
2. La Plata Mountains - Colorado
Within your comfortable solitude,
the mournful cry of the loon
heard from the opposite shore
serves up a taste of loneliness.
Not the same as solitude,
but still, you think about it.
How it might be
if she dies first.
© 2026 Richard Havenga
