During the pearly light of dawn,
I thought I heard the sun
announce its imminent approach
just below the eastern horizon.
It began as a soft murmur
in subdued tints of rosy gray,
reflecting off the cold waves
of Lake Superior.
Then the sun flared into sudden sight,
and golden trumpets played the new day.
© 2026 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Lake Superior - Paradise, Michigan
2. Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan
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
You are reading these words
as I have written them:
Transparent as Lake Superior's water.
Clear as the night sky in the desert.
Soft as the petals of Arizona's poppies.
Colorful as October woods in Michigan.
Generous as the ocean pushing onto the shore.
Fresh as spring daffodils in your garden.
Dependable as the seasons turning.
Striving as acorns aspire to become oaks.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Whitefish Point Bird Observatory - Upper Peninsula- Michigan
2. La Jolla, California
3. Wabasis Lake Park & Campground - Kent County - Michigan
How many years did it take
for these stones to slowly migrate
from the depths of Lake Superior?
How many years have they
been blasted by wind-driven sand
along this brutal coast?
To be shaped flat and smooth
into ovals and circles
in a spectrum of colors?
But it only takes a few minutes
to lift a few out of packed sand
with grateful fingers;
small treasures of granite
sculpted by water, wind,
sand, and time.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. & 2. Whitefish Point Light Station - Lake Superior - Michigan
Underwater,
polygons of light
quiver on stones,
waver on rocks;
bright on the bottom
of clear Lake Superior.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. & 2. Whitefish Point - Michigan
3. Sugarloaf Cove - Minnesota
Along the shallowing shore,
the soft lips of spent waves
kiss the smooth stones.
Lake Superior water,
too cold to swim, but
just deep enough
here at the edge
to wash human feet
in this rounded, stony basin;
reminding me of
the ceramic basin used
on Holy Thursday.
© 2022 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
Taconite Harbor, Minnesota
