Merging Seasons

 

Outside this morning,

it is so quiet,

it seems like the landscape

is contemplating itself.

A meaningful meditation

on the merging of seasons.

Greens merge into yellows

on a Crooked Lake peninsula.

Summer is surrendering

to the artistry of autumn.

Asters of deep purple

guide the gradual change.

A cold air mass waits to slide south

from the Upper Peninsula.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Home Fields - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

Passing Seasons

This spring and summer have passed too quickly.

I missed entirely the hidden, drooping blossoms 
of the Mayapple.

When did the Wild Columbines display
their scarlet crowns adorned with yellow?

Wild Black Raspberries have already ripened,
with Dewberries and Wild Blackberries soon to follow.

Queen Anne's Lace is thriving
along roadsides and abandoned fields.

I do not want the summer's end
to bring on the goldenrods and asters.

It will mean the approach of autumn,
and remind me of too much time
spent reading books and writing
about opportunities lost;
when I should have been
out walking everyday
in fields and woods,
along rivers and streams,
and feeling grateful for
these daily blessings
that make up the seasons
of my life. 

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. Ada Township - Kent County - Michigan

3. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

4. & 5. Home Fields - Cannonsburg, Michigan

6. Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

Early Autumn Stage

As summer settles
into September,
asters and goldenrod
accept the invitation
for this month
of transition.

Yellow and gold,
purple and lavender,
assume their places
on this early autumn stage.

In the background,
from the percussion section;
acorns and hickory nuts
begin to pound the ground,
zip through layers of leaves,
bounce off the inverted canoe.

And in the evening,
as the air cools,
crickets slow their song.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 3. Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan

2. & 4. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

September Stage

As summer settles
into September,
asters and goldenrod
accept the invitation
to audition
for this month
of transition.

Yellow and gold,
purple and lavender,
assume their places
on this September stage.

In the background,
from the percussion section,
acorns and hickory nuts
zip through the leaves,
pound the ground,
and bounce off my
inverted canoe.

During these cooler nights,
cricket calls seem calmer
as they continue to crank out
their calibrated wing rustles;
soft stridulations 
with temperature affecting
their measured notes.

The stage is set.
Harmony prevails.
The audience approves.

© 2017 Richard Havenga

words continue

As time extends

through this third season,

the autumn of our days;

the sun continues

its shallow arc

across our diminishing days

winds continue

to wrestle

the leafy arms of trees;

birds continue

to ride the invisible air,

to follow known migration routes;

bees continue

to enter

the remaining autumn asters;

and words continue

to dream

of entering poems.

© 2016 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: 

1. Townsend Park - Kent County, Michigan 

2. & 3. Ada Township - Kent County, Michigan

Autumn Asters

Asters are one of the last wildflowers to bloom in our area of S.W. Michigan.

The bees are extending the season; taking the opportunity to gather pollen.


My various wildflower books display 19 species in one book, 15 species in another, five, and four in others. It's all very confusing.

Older books differ from newer books, so identification is very difficult.

They exhibit different growth patterns, depending on the site, and competition for light.

Many species commonly interbreed, and are difficult to distinguish.

The colors can vary within the same species, or even change color slightly, during the
growing season.

This widespread perennial is found in a wide variety of wet and dry habitats, but most species love the sun and grow in open areas or edges.

The word Aster comes from a Greek word meaning star, as in asterisk ... * or astromomy, astronaut, etc.

Perhaps some experts who really know their Asters can help me learn more. Meanwhile, just enjoy the variety of forms and colors.

This has been a short piece of Botany...

... and you have only a short time to explore outdoors.

Some asters will last
a few days in a vase

if you need some late flowers
to cheer up your place.

Right now a fast honeybee
is acting aggressive you see.
It's getting too near I fear,
so would you please excuse me
while I zoom out of here!







(Click on any photo to enlarge)



Bushy Aster / Marsh Aster  (Aster simplex)

Red-stemmed Aster / Purple-stemmed Aster  (Aster punicous)

Smooth Blue Asters  (Aster laevis)

New England Aster  (Aster novae-angliae)