Pleasant Peninsulas

 

In Michigan,

we live on one of two

pleasant peninsulas,

surrounded by inland seas.

Superior.

Michigan.

Huron.

Erie.

Plus, we have about 

twelve-thousand

inland lakes.

In the late 20th century,

our license plates boasted:

"Water-Winter Wonderland".

It's true.

We would appreciate

an exploratory visit

from you.

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Arcadia, Michigan

2. Grand Haven State Park & Lighthouse ~ Michigan

3. Pickerel Lake Park - Fred Meijer Nature Preserve - Kent County - Michigan

4. Wabasis Lake Park & Campground - Kdingent County - Michigan

5. Ludington State Park - Ludington, Michigan

Soft Lips

 

There is no color quite like it.

I'm talking here about the

golden-yellow-orange

of these California Poppies

that flower in dazzling abundance

in Arizona's Sonoran Desert.

When a warm spring

follows a wet winter,

they spread a golden carpet

over this dry land

to enchant the casual observer.

Bring joyous color

for the serious photographer

to capture a close-up view.

The yellow-gold intensifies.

Deeper, vibrant, fully alive.

Create lovely images

in the mind

of this grateful poet

when the desert breeze

kisses the soft lips

of poppy petals.

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: 

Picacho Peak State Park - Arizona

Watching and Waiting

 

I approach this mountain stream

with deep respect and admiration.

Walking upstream,

along the boulder-strewn bank,

accented with spruce

and Ponderosa Pines.

The sound of rushing water

is like a friend coming toward me;

it flows with companionship,

that I currently need more of.

I keep watching and waiting,

until it's time to move on.

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Payette River - McCall, Idaho

2.  Elk River - Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Taprooting

 

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

Wingtips

 

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

How It Feels

 

Suffering attracts compassion.

Grief invites kindness.

I've been on both sides.

I know how it feels.

To give.

To receive.

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Sage Crush

 

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

Worthy Words

 

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

Cry of the Loon

 

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

Photo Locations:

1. Tahquamenon Falls State Park - Michigan

2. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado