Soft Lips

 

There is no color quite like it.

I'm talking here about the

golden-yellow-orange

of these California Poppies

that flower in dazzling abundance

in Arizona's Sonoran Desert.

When a warm spring

follows a wet winter,

they spread a golden carpet

over this dry land

to enchant the casual observer.

Bring joyous color

for the serious photographer

to capture a close-up view.

The yellow-gold intensifies.

Deeper, vibrant, fully alive.

Create lovely images

in the mind

of this grateful poet

when the desert breeze

kisses the soft lips

of poppy petals.

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: 

Picacho Peak State Park - Arizona

Sonoran Silence

 

In the quiet solitude

of the Sonoran Desert;

Saguaro Cactus

tower over my head.

Mexican Poppies

glow golden at my feet.

Teddy Bear Chollas

are backlit by the sun.

Absolute silence

permeates my soul.

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 3. Saguaro National Park ~ East - Tucson, Arizona

2. Picacho Peak State Park - Arizona

Summer Poem

 

Vibrant poppies of scarlet orange

burst out of their capsules

ready to smooth out

their soft wrinkles.

Honey Locusts display their

curled clusters of white flasks

to perfume this June afternoon.

Deep green lily pads

carpet the lake shallows.

Thick and glossy;

floating solar collectors.

Pastel stalks of wheat;

feathered and filigreed,

reach for the summery sun.

Is now the time

to open the door

and look for your own

summer poem?

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Home Garden - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

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

4. Home Fields - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

5. Vergennes Township - Kent County - Michigan

Receptive

Under the thin shade of palo verde
my thoughts are carried
through quiet desert air.

The world beyond
slowly empties from my mind.
I am learning how to  concentrate, 
pay attention to God's creation,
and share it with you;
and now I invite you 
into this poem,
to witness...

how this light breeze
kisses the soft lips of poppy petals;

the way sunlight splashes the
foothills scattered with Saguaro,

or reddens the sandstone ridges;

to recall memory's 
silent treasures
being brought to light;
every year is
full of days being born,
again, and again;
all those yesterdays
giving birth to today
with hope for tomorrow.

What we see in nature is 
borrowed from our gift of days.
Carried now 
by the quiet music of poetry
into gentle souls, 
receptive and richly blessed.

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Catalina State Park - Tucson, Arizona 

2. Saguaro National Park - (West) - Tucson, Arizona

3. Pusch Ridge Wilderness - Ventana Canyon - Tucson, Arizona

Proposal "P"

To produce a package for a time capsule that would portray my place on this planet, I provide these preferences:

* the puffy pouch of a Pink Lady's Slipper

* the pleasure perceived from a rainbow prism

* a Prickly Pear piercing the desert air

* the pounding percussion of a Pileated Woodpecker 

* trillium petals peppered with pollen

*  powerful roots pushing and probing below the Ponderosa Pines

* a pastel painting of pink petals

* the pacing pulse of a Phoebe in April

* the peculiar parts of a Pitcher Plant

* a penstemon propelling scarlet trumpets

* a pensive place beside a peaceful river

* particles of pollen packed in a bee's pouch

* a patch of pretty poppies

* the parallel leaves of a pixelated palm

* cumulus piling along the perimeter of the prairie





* the passion to prepare a persuasive, perceptive poem




* the patience to proclaim praise in a penetrating prayer

©  2014  Richard Havenga

Poppy Personalities

 

 

 

Prepared

 

 

 

 

 

 

Empowered

Refreshed



 

 

 

 



 

 

Expressed 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Location: Home Garden

 

(Click on photos to enlarge)