Geography of Dreams

 

The inner landscapes of my mind

have been shaped by a language

learned and discerned

from connections with nature.

Mountains, meadows, woods and fields.

Rivers, lakes, oceans and streams.

They blend together to become

the geography of my dreams.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Canyon de Chelly - Arizona

2. Wyoming

3. West Elk Wilderness - Colorado

Mapping the Heart

 

Have you ever tried to map

the vast territory of your heart?

Examined its varied geography?

Searched its peaks and valleys?

Recalled how your journey began?

Reflected on the turns you've taken?

Did you follow the directions

you were given?

Have you reached your

desired destination?

Enjoyed the measured miles

along the long route?

Are you still planning new trips?

Do you remember the way home?

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Canyon de Chelly National Monument - Chinle, Arizona

2. Zion National Park - Utah

3. Dallas, Colorado

4. Cottonwood Pass - Colorado

5. Garden of the Gods - Colorado Springs, Colorado

6. Steamboat Springs, Colorado

7. Home Road - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Open Spaces

From the sagebrushed flats,

through the red-stoned canyons,

over the junipered plateaus,

and into the forested mountains,
I crave these open spaces.

These wild places
where Western light
colors the atmosphere,
brings the very air alive.

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

2. Canyon de Chelly National Monument - Arizona

3. Flaming Gorge - Utah

4. West Elk Mountains - Colorado

Riding Clouds

Clumps of clouds
cling to to each other.
Mingle and merge
along their soft borders.
Drift en masse 
with atmospheric winds.

In my imagination,
I ride these clouds;
looking with admiration
at the green earth,
this familiar landscape,
and the geography of hope. 

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Canyon de Chelly National Monument - Arizona

2. Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

3. Bluff, Utah

Finding Poetry

He saw poetry
in the wildflowers.

Heard poetry
in birdsong.

 Touched poetry
in mountain streams.

Tasted poetry
in wild black raspberries.

Felt poetry
in the wind.

Discovered poetry
in every season.

Found poetry
throughout creation.

Wrote poetry
in the evening's quiet.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Tucson, Arizona

2. Home Woods, Cannonsburg, Michigan

3. Phainopepla - Oro Valley, Arizona

4. Arkansas River - Buena Vista, Colorado

5. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

6. Ludington, Michigan 

7. Sutton's Bay, Michigan

8. Canyon de Chelly National Monument - Arizona