waterlines

 

footprints in the sand

making a small impression

by the waterlines

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Lake Michigan ~Ludington State Park - Michigan

Shallowing Waves

 

I am mesmerized,

hypnotized by the ensemble

of dark, mellowing light

on the shallowing waves

of Lake Michigan

as they slide gently

upon the shore;

colors fading into subtle

as the day calms

into evening.

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Grand Haven State Park - Michigan

Pleasant Peninsulas

 

In Michigan,

we live on one of two

pleasant peninsulas,

surrounded by inland seas.

Superior.

Michigan.

Huron.

Erie.

Plus, we have about 

twelve-thousand

inland lakes.

In the late 20th century,

our license plates boasted:

"Water-Winter Wonderland".

It's true.

We would appreciate

an exploratory visit

from you.

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Arcadia, Michigan

2. Grand Haven State Park & Lighthouse ~ Michigan

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

4. Wabasis Lake Park & Campground - Kdingent County - Michigan

5. Ludington State Park - Ludington, Michigan

Emerging Voice

 

The reader meets the writer

on the page or on the screen.

And within that relationship

a significant bond is formed.

A learning, an understanding,

a shared emotion, an insight.

Sharing distinct imagery through

a unique blending of words.

Experience joins imagination.

Awareness enhances vision.

The interior voice

has emerged to be heard.

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Lake Michigan @ Wilderness State Park - Mackinaw City, Michigan

Circling

In memory of Aaron Havenga (April 2, 1975 ~ November 20, 1994)

Pure joy

radiates from his face

at age four, as he spins

in his circle of life.

Making a small, round wave

in Lake Michigan

that still reaches me,

still touches me.

I've been circling 

for decades

into the future

without him.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Pentwater State Park - Pentwater, Michigan

Photo by Mary Havenga © 1979

 

Ear Buds

 

I never have,

nor will I ever start,

to use headphones,

ear buds, etcetera,

when I'm running outdoors.

I prefer to hear

the music of nature

along quiet country roads.

Songs from the Indigo Bunting,

Scarlet Tanager, Yellow Warbler,

or a distant Eastern Meadowlark.

A fall flock of Canada Geese.

An ambitious wind in the trees.

The rising rapids in rivers. 

Rigorous waves on Lake Michigan.

All sounds superior,

to my favorite symphonies

by Haydn or Beethoven.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Indigo Bunting - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

2. Scarlet Tanager - Home Woods - Kent County - Michigan

3. Yellow Warbler - Home Woods - Kent County - Michigan

4. Canada Geese - Saul Lake Bog - Kent County - Michigan

5. Grand Haven State Park - Michigan

Edge of Time

 

Standing firmly

on the sand dunes

above Lake Michigan,

I'm intrigued, again, to view

the barely perceptible

curvature of the earth.

Contemplating the infinite horizon

where water meets the sky

at the edge of time.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Empire, Michigan

Mary

 

When Mary retired in 2008,

she didn't slow down.

She still loves to go Birding

every spring. 

Here, she is hiking Angel's Landing 

in Zion National Park.

She plays tennis in Michigan,

Arizona and Florida.

Enjoys a spectacular view,

in sometimes risky locations!

Enjoys a stroll along Lake Michigan,

or the Atlantic Ocean. 

Knows how to relax along a river,

and read a good book outdoors.

Knows her mind, and does not

straddle the fence.

Knows how to have fun.

Is a very classy lady.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Waterline

 

We walk the waterline together

along this Lake Michigan shore.

Wavelets create artistic patterns

upon the slope of rippled sand.

I'm ankle deep in cool, fresh water

to feel the hard ridges under my feet.

You're on the saturated slope

making temporary tracks.

We're in our mid-seventies,

still walking the waterline together.

Sharing simple gifts of words,

and hands coming together.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. 2. 3. Lake Michigan - Grand Haven State Park - Grand Haven, Michigan

Edge of Time

 

Standing firmly

on the sand dunes

above Lake Michigan,

I'm intrigued, again, to view

the barely perceptible

curvature of the earth.

Contemplating the infinite horizon

where water meets the sky

at the edge of time.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore ~ Michigan

Now

 

This new day dawning

is ours to cherish now.

A Mourning Dove's soft syllables

are drifting down from the spruce.

Light fog is being nudged off the lake

by a gentle morning breeze.

Along arching stems, Bleeding Hearts

are dangling pink valentines.

Afternoon cumulus are forming, 

growing, bulging into blue skies.

 A soft summer sun is settling into

Lake Michigan's broad horizon.

These words are finding 

their own trail across the page.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Canon Township - Kent County - Michigan

2. Home Garden - Cannonsburg, Michigan

3. Parnell, Michigan

4. Grand Haven State Park - Michigan 

Old Mission Peninsula

 

On this sunny, sloping vineyard,

rising above Lake Michigan,

these luscious, juicy grapes

find perfect growing conditions

to become fine red wine

from Old Mission Peninsula.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. 2. & 3. Old Mission Peninsula - Michigan

4. Home Deck - Cannonsburg, Michigan

States of Mind

High in these Colorado mountains,

we are closer to Heaven.

Low in southwest Florida,

we are closer to the ocean.

Among Utah's red rock formations,

we're surrounded by natural stone sculptures.

Out in Arizona's dry deserts,

we're intrigued by species of cactus.

Home, in Michigan's two peninsulas,

we are proud of our Great Lakes.

Together, among our aging selves,

we are blessed with opportunities to travel.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. West Elk Wilderness - Colorado

2. Arches National Park - Utah

3. Saguaro National Park - east - Arizona

4. Lake Michigan - Michigan

 

The Plunge

 

The silky sand

slanting on grassy dunes

along the Lake Michigan shore

invite my bare feet

to run up the ridge,

around the poplar trees,

and leap in long bounds

back down the slope,

then, high-stepping the waves,

to plunge into the clear, cool water

of magnificent Lake Michigan,

invigorated,

refreshed,

restored.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1.  & 2. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Weather on the Moon

 

If there is no weather on the moon,

I would never want to live there.

I prefer the atmosphere here,

since my birth on the earth.

Take me climbing in the Rocky Mountains,

or walking the Lake Michigan shores.

I will trek the Arizona deserts,

or stroll the Atlantic Ocean beaches.

I can see the moon from any place here,

so why would I want to go there?

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. West Elk Wilderness - Colorado

2. Florence, Arizona

3. Sunset Beach, North Carolina

4. Fort Myers, Florida

 

Shades of Blue

 

From this wooden platform

high above Lake Michigan,

my eyes are scanning through

magnificent shades of blue.

Along this discernable

curvature of the earth,

the horizon's sharp, silver edge

is the threshold of heaven.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. 2. 3. Arcadia, Michigan