Pointing to the Sky

 

A platoon of pillars.

Pale green and rigid.

Pointing to the sky.

Thick, bulging arms

grow out from the torso,

curve up to the sun.

Persevering and patient.

Enduring the relentless desert.

Saguaro Cactus survive.

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 3. Catalina State Park - Oro Valley, Arizona

2. 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

Listen to the Quiet

 

When you reach the heart of the desert,

under the vast dome of blue sky,

and walk into the deep silence,

will you then feel the presence

of our Creator God?

Will you stand among the tall Saguaro

and feel small next to their height?

Will you be astonished

at the diversity of cactus species,

and how they survive in this arid land?

 

Can you abide the pure stillness?

Find comfort in tranquility?

Listen to the quiet?

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. 2. 4. Catalina State Park - Tucson, Arizona

3. Saguaro National Park - Tucson, Arizona

Dawn Gives Birth to Color

For John D'Amico

Sitting on a boulder,
surrounded by desert,
savoring the silence,
lingering in solitude.

Darkness has dissolved. 
Morning has broken.

Before shadows arrive,
dawn gives birth to color.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Saguaro National Park ~ West -Tucson, Arizona

2. Pontatoc Canyon Trail - Santa Catalina Mountains - Tucson, Arizona

3. Finger Rock Trail - Santa Catalina Mountains - Tucson, Arizona

Slow Passage of Time

An ocean of sky
presses upon
this vast desert.

Surrounded by
a severe landscape,
I try to
adjust the meaning
of these lines.

Adapt to the slow
passage of time,
observe the patient
growth of cactus;
and the steady
growth of my faith.

Accept the slow
gift of time
being offered
as an invitation
to your creation.

Your long, 
slow silence
resonates
within my soul. 

© 2017 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Saguaro National Park ~ West - Tucson, Arizona 

2. Joshua Tree National Park ~ Twentynine Palms, California

serve

Photo Location: Saguaro National Park ~ East - Tucson, Arizona

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

Patience

Photo Location:

Saguaro National Park - (East) , Tucson, Arizona