Dawn is a gift,
given to you
every day.
A gift you can open
each morning
you find yourself alive.
A new day,
golden with opportunity,
silver with possibility.
© 2026 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Lowell Township - Kent County - Michigan
2. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming
for Aaron Havenga (April 2, 1975 ~ November 20, 1994)
The first light to pierce the dawn
reminds me of your radiant smile.
I miss your warm presence
during the long hours of daylight.
Until the long hours of night,
when sleep becomes my friend.
Inside the vague territory of dreams
when the missing you is missing.
© 2026 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations: Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming
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
I have removed the obstacles.
Tossed aside the branches and sticks.
Raked away the fallen debris.
And now the trail is smooth for you.
Won't you please enter my poet trees?
The words are clear and accessible.
The light shimmers through the trees.
An inviting path of discovery;
a gift for you,
from me.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Ohio Creek Pass - Crested Butte, Colorado
2. Snake River Overlook - Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming
It feels like I'm wading
into a smooth river of sleep.
The water feels warm,
the current slow and deep.
Ready to be carried away
inside a soothing dream.
Hoping to remember where I've been
when I get to my destination downstream.
© 2024 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Oxbow Bend - Snake River - Grand Teton National Park
2. Grand River - Kent County - Michigan
God speaks to me without words:
In the spectacular inflorescence
of dependable, seasonal wildflowers.
The mist blowing off
the crest of ocean waves.
Through the sweet songs of birds
unraveled effortlessly.
The music playing in the rapids
of a rushing mountain stream.
The atmospheric light
dancing with sky, clouds and rain.
Beauty in nature is not essential,
it's God's voice within gifts of creation.
© 2024 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan
2. Sanibel Island - Florida
3. Cannonsburg State Game Area - Kent County - Michigan
4. Arkansas River - Buena Vista, Colorado
5. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming
I can almost hear a voice
emanating from these rays of light,
penetrating my consciousness.
I gather this outside sensation
and take it inside my soul,
believing it may hold answers.
So many miracles out here
competing for my attention.
I realize I'm holding my breath;
like a boy waiting for the next surprise.
© 2022 Richard Havenga
Photo Location: Grand Teton National Park
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
When God asks:
"What did you do
with the gifts
you were given?"
How will you answer?
Will you have a
relevant response prepared?
Will gratitude for
the joy of birdsong
in the spring
be included?
Or the intriguing sound
of water trickling under
the surreal patterns
of paper-thin ice
on a winter stream?
Did you take some time
to gasp in awe
at the spectacular sunrises
that brightened your many mornings?
Were you mesmerized
by the absolute silence
of a dark night
while under the domed ceiling
of ancient stars?
© 2021 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Cannonsburg State Game Area - Kent County - Michigan
2. Bear Creek - Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan
3. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming
4. SaddleBrooke, Arizona
On this particularly
pearl morning,
a pewter sky
will try to dim the sun,
shroud the mountains, and
diminish the distant trees
just beginning to display
their spring pastels.
© 2021 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming
2. Vergennes Township - Kent County - Michigan
After the stars retired,
a faint band of apricot light
began to glow and grow
on the eastern horizon.
Dawn delivers
a new concert of birdsong,
unraveling among
a chaos of branches.
A new sun
climbs the vault of sky,
creates slow shadows
that walk through the woods.
I find a suitable place
to sit and rest,
to watch and listen,
to think and write.
The sun casts a narrow shadow
from my pen point.
Shadow and black ink
meet upon yellow paper.
Produce words
with the urge
to travel.
© 2021 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
2. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming
3. Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado
First to catch the light,
rising above valley fog,
this monument of mountains
collects the warm colors
of a September morning.
* "Teewinot" ~ Shoshone for "Many Pinnacles"
