Four Horses

 

These four horses' asses

that were grazing on grasses

now ignore the photographer

who's not offended

who likes the contrast

of browns and blacks

against the pale green sage

in the rolling summer hills

above the aspen grove

below the blue-gray clouds

east of the Grand Tetons

in northwest Wyoming.

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Gros Ventre Road - Kelly, Wyoming

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

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

Aspen Eyes

 

Along these parallel lines

of hieroglyphics

that curve around

the aspen trunk,

a pair of eyes 

calling you close.

Happy to see you stop

and study

the lines of letters;

searching for 

possible words

in this volume of trees.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: 

West Elk Wilderness - Colorado

Climbing the Clouds

 

I am:

Saying a prayer on the porch.

Reading a devotion on the deck.

Meditating in the mountains.

Worshiping the Creator in the woods.

My mind is:

Astonished by golden aspens.

Contented by a river's current.

Climbing into the clouds.

Hoping to achieve Heaven.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Grand Lake, Colorado

2. Pickerel Lake Park - Kent County - Michigan

Released

 

Last night's raindrops cling

to yellowed aspen leaves.

Then the leaves are released from 

their birth home on the twigs.

They drift on a slight breeze

to lay upon the welcoming earth. 

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. Tabernash,  Colorado

Teton Twilight

After an extraordinary day

of watching Pronghorns

scramble through sagebrush flats,

of observing bull Moose

browsing willow shrubs

along the Snake River,

of examining Elk

grazing grasses

along the forest edge,

twilight arrives in the Tetons.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1, 2, & 4. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

3. Telluride, Colorado

Changes

Blue Jays, quiet and secretive

most of the summer,

have begun to shriek and jeer

from high hidden perches.

Black-capped Chickadees

gather in groups again

to chatter and jabber:

"fee-bee," and "fee-bee-bee".

Eastern Chipmunks jump

and scatter quickly

off the wooded trail

you are hiking.

Sandhill Cranes have raised

their young and take them up

for practice flights, preparing

for late fall migration.

And out West, in the elevations,

the Rocky Mountains are already aflame

with Aspens climbing and

spreading gold up the slopes.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. Chief Hazy Cloud Park - Kent County - Michigan

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

4. McCarthy Lake - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

5. Grand Mesa National Forest - Colorado

Golden Days

 

In September, Colorado aspens

become wicks of candle flame

to enlighten the foothills.

They climb steep 

mountainsides

with bands of yellow.

Backlighting

by the autumn sun

enhances their radiance. 

Aspens dazzle my days,

color the green forests,

illuminate the landscape.

Each golden day

is a new opportunity

to glorify our Creator.

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Silverton, Colorado

2. Grand Mesa, Colorado

3. San Juan National Forest - Colorado

 

Perceptive

I am always grateful

for the power of perception.

Deeper than simple observation,

perception contains the capacity

for emotion and passion.

While working in my spring garden,

a Song Sparrow singing sweetly

can make me suddenly attentive

to its joyful, solo performance,

carry music into my soul.

While fishing on McCarthy Lake,

I become conscious of

ballooning cumulus

reflecting on calm water,

surging into summer-blue skies.

While hiking in the Rocky Mountains,

my awareness is elevated

by golden waves of aspens

climbing slopes and ridges.

While running these country roads,

the autumn wind flings falling leaves

onto my head and torso,

producing a sensory experience.

While exploring the shoreline

of Pickerel Lake in early winter,

I witness the conversion

of water into ice.

I have become more receptive,

mindful and present;

influenced by the renewal and recurrence

of creation in all seasons.

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. McCarthy Lake - Kent County - Michigan

3. Ouray, Colorado

4. Ada Township - Kent County - Michigan

5. Pickerel Lake Park - Kent County - Michigan

flames

 

flames of October

blaze with a vibrant vision

flare from green forests

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: 

Grand Mesa - Colorado

If I Could

If I could give you
the sound of the rain
falling on leaves of grass
during a warm 
April shower;

If I could give you 
the sound and sight
of golden Aspen leaves
trembling on their twigs
in September elevations;

If I could give you
the steady flight path
of the Great Blue Heron
rowing through the 
humid air of July;

If I could give you
the gift of time
passing by slowly 
in the desert,
like an invitation;

I would.

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Home fields - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. Ouray, Colorado  

3. Rogue River - Rockford, Michigan

4. Canyonlands National Park - Utah

Ten Million Leaves

Straight trunks of aspen
stand solid and tall;
white wooden pillars
climb the foothills,
mingle with spruce,

where ten million leaves will
soon shimmer with golden light.

Then,
at the edge of evening,
the breeze subsides,
the quaking ends,
the calm returns.

Populus tremuloides !

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. La Plata Mountains - Durango, Colorado

2.  Ouray, Colorado

3. South Fork, Colorado

4. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Ascend

Rain showers have ended,
and sharpened the scent
of sage; like incense
ascending into Heaven.

A cold, narrow stream
crawls through this meadow,
obeying gravity,
attracting birds.

A Western Tanager
flares red and yellow
with wings blurred,
pursuing insects.

Another feeds currents
to its fledgling
perched on a 
rusty barbed wire.

Aspens climb the foothills,
and mingle with spruce.
If you listen carefully,
you can hear the earth breathe.

This entire valley is filled
with the breath of sage,
and my gratitude for these gifts
ascends with my praise.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Home Fields - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. Colorado National Monument - Fruita, Colorado

3. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

4. Estes Park, Colorado

5. Ohio Creek - Gunnison, Colorado

Gifts of Aspen

In my writing  and photography,
I try to create a fresh look
at common things.

To approach each day
with eager anticipation 
for the gifts 
we are about to receive
from thy bounty. 

© 2019 Richard Havenga

You may also enjoy the "gifts" in this post: "Opportunity"  ~ February, 2015
Photo Locations:

1. Ohio Creek - Wet Elk Wilderness Area - Colorado

2. Silverton, Colorado

3. Grand Mesa National Forest - Colorado

rich flame burning within

May you grow
rich
from a wealth of
curiosity;
ignited by the
flame
of the Holy Spirit
burning
with creativity
within
your soul.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

You may also enjoy: "Something to Keep ~ Something to Give Away" - Dec. 11, 2017

Photo Locations:

1. Grand Mesa National Forest - Colorado

2. Our Lady of Light Catholic Community - Estero, Florida