A small Canyon Wren
is singing to the big sky.
One long song
woven into the western air.
Singing with exuberance,
a sacred sound cascading down.
Clear notes bursting
from this small brown bird.
Ascending, descending,
echoing off smooth rock walls.
I hold my breath, close my eyes,
feel blessed to be a witness.
Years later it lingers
in the canyons of my memory.
© 2026 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
Garden of the Gods - Colorado Springs, Colorado
At the front edge of dawn,
on this morning in May,
a chorus of birdsong
reaches my grateful ears;
becomes an aria
to start my day.
© 2026 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Prothonotary Warbler - Kalamazoo River - Allegan State Game Area - Michigan
2. Bobolink - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan
When we decide to slow down,
to leave the phone at home,
and go outdoors to engage in
intentional listening,
we will be practicing
the concept of yutori.
And we will be rewarded
as we contemplate
our life space,
and express gratitude to God
for our experiences outdoors.
A soft breeze whispering through
the fine needles of White Pine.
Birdsong streaming from
the density of green woods.
The rapids of a mountain stream
rushing over rocks, splashing boulders.
The faint chirp of crickets
on a late summer evening.
Gifts we can give ourselves.
When we decide to listen.
© 2026 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. White Pine - Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan
2. Indigo Bunting - Cannonsburg State Game Area - Kent County - Michigan
3. Taylor River - Gunnison County - Colorado
This Song Sparrow is calling out
to the whole world,
which to him
is a few acres.
And I'm the only human
to hear his proclamation.
He doesn't seem to mind
my trespassing in his kingdom.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Location: Home Acres - Cannonsburg, Michigan
When the Canyon Wren
hurls its song into the air,
in the echoing space
between sandstone walls,
it sounds like a prayer,
a praise song,
a blessing heard
but not seen.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations: Garden of the Gods Park - Colorado Springs, Colorado
Across this broad field of sage,
a Western Meadowlark is perched;
on a fencepost, on a barbed wire.
From this distance
I can barely make out
his sunrise-yellow breast
with the black tie
pointing down his neck.
I delight in his melodious call,
streaming over the plains;
a long banner of song
curling into the warm wind.
This gift of music,
given by the meadowlark,
received with gratitude.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations: Hesperus, Colorado
Our loyal cardinals
brought vibrant color
to a gray and white winter.
And on summer evenings,
they pierce the silence
with sharp, bold whistles.
Filling the air with song.
Filling my ears with music.
Filling my eyes with gratitude.
© 2024 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan
2. & 3. Home Woods
May your one singular life become more fruitful
than you ever thought possible.
May you regain the curiosity
you once held as a child.
You may be awakened by exuberant
birdsong in early spring.
You may hear the song of the river
and translate its meaning in your soul.
May you hear Sunday morning church bells
resound across farmers' fall fields.
May you feel the profound silence
of the night sky in winter.
You may find the Spirit inside you,
or reaching out to find you.
May you find more blessings
than you ever thought possible.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Blok Orchard - Kent County - Michigan
2. Home Woods/Wetland - Cannonsburg, Michigan
3. Cannonsburg State Game Area - Kent County - Michigan
4. Arkansas River - Buena Vista, Colorado
5. Inside the Steeple - St. Patrick Church - Parnell, Michigan
6. Luton Park - Rockford, Michigan
While walking these rolling foothills,
ribbons of wind caress my face.
Morning light illuminates the
expansive dimensions of clouds.
Sunshine warms the cinnamon bark
of sturdy Ponderosa Pines.
My eyes are captivated by
vibrant wildflowers at my feet.
I inhale the
masculine scent of sage.
My hearing is alerted by
small segments of birdsong.
As I continue on this path,
God says: "I am here."
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. & 6. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming
2. 3. & 4. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado
5. Goodwillie Environmental School - Ada, Michigan
I step onto the deck
this fine July morning
and a Carolina Wren
fills my ears with its
repertoire of joyful song.
Then on the front porch
the air is infused
with the unforgettable
fragrance of Phlox.
Tall towers of Hollyhocks
stretch for the sun;
their cups of color
flaring like small trumpets.
Heavy humidity creates
brilliant diamonds of dew
clinging to blades of grass
that dazzle in the early sun.
Lovely, lavender Balloon Flowers
burst into five pointed petals
revealing a network
of deep purple veins.
From the field to our east,
the well-known scent
of fresh-cut hay
drying in windrows.
With senses alert,
I am blessed in this place,
absorbing the sensuous
essence of summer.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve - Fort Myers, Florida
2. 3. 4. & 5. Home Garden - Cannonsburg, Michigan
6. Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan
A Mourning Dove
the color of river mud,
the color of autumn dusk,
puffs up its breast feathers
and murmurs a soft lament;
cooing up and down the scale.
Emphasizing the vowels "o" and "u".
Repeating the question "who?"
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Play the Mourning Dove call: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mourning_Dove/
Photo Locations:
1. & 2. Canon Township - Kent County - Michigan
A continuous banner of birdsong
was quavering
in the light of dawn.
It was like listening to the symphony
and trying to hear
each individual instrument.
This was no ordinary concert,
for the migrating warblers
had joined the year round residents.
It was the marvelous
month of May in Michigan;
magnificent!
My ears were filled with joy
as my brain picked out
the songs of singers singing.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations (with bird ID):
1. Prothonotary Warbler - Kalamazoo River - Allegan County - Michigan
2. Cape May Warbler - Ada Township - Kent County - Michigan
3. Bay-breasted Warbler - Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
4. Wilson's Warbler - Ada Township - Kent County - Michigan
5. Scarlet Tanager - Home Woods - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan
Beyond the high wall of these woods,
deep in the cleavage of shade,
spring warblers sing from the shadows.
I approach this curtain of sound
with quiet alertness and reverence;
grateful for the hidden choir.
One call distinguishes itself,
separate from the warblers.
The enchanting flute of the Wood Thrush.
Sweet syllables of song.
Sharp, clear and melodious.
Aria of an angel.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. & 2. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
Play the song of the Wood Thrush here: Cornell Lab of Ornithology
A mysterious,
but enlightening presence
permeates this place.
Your senses
are attentive,
eager for contact.
Even the birds,
though busy
with their feeding,
seem aware
of your appearance
and accept your silence.
Then a chickadee,
buoyant with enthusiasm,
shares its joyful song:
"Chickadee, chickadee-dee-dee."
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Cascade Township - Kent County - Michigan
2. Chief Hazy Cloud Park - Kent County - Michigan
On this Sunday morning country run,
is that our church choir I hear?
No, it's the Bobolink's bubbling call
hovering over the mostly alfalfa hayfield;
flutter-flying in a controlled stall
over June grasses growing tall,
and the long green promises
of a long summer approaching.
© 2022 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. & 2. Parnell, Michigan
On this early May morning,
birds are waking the sky.
The sweet syllables of their songs
resonate through the canopy of leaves.
A choir of praise performing
while hidden in the temple of trees.
A chorus of soft secrets
rising with the sun.
© 2022 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Goodwillie Environmental School - Ada, Michigan
2. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
3. Cannonsburg State Game Area - Cannonsburg, Michigan
