Full Release

 

In September,

especially if it's been dry,

trees lose their leaves

singly, and casually.

But by mid-October

it becomes full release.

A massive display,

an elegant ballet

of twists and turns.

Colored leaves

sifting through branches.

Falling gracefully

through cool autumn air.

I imagine each leaf

a moving prayer.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Tiffany Avenue - Kent County - Michigan

2. Wabasis Lake Park - Kent County - Michigan

3. Home Trees - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

 

Climbing Columns of Crimson

 

September is their season.

Clinging to tree trunks and large limbs.

The flamboyant Virginia Creeper.

Climbing columns of crimson.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

2. Vergennes Township - Kent County - Michigan

3. Ada, Michigan

You may also like my creative non-fiction essay titled: 

"Virginia Creeper" published October 9, 2012. Here is the link: 

"Virginia Creeper"

Last Days

 

A Ruby-throated Hummingbird

just came to my library window

to thank me for the four feeders

I filled and maintained for five months.

"Your presence was my pleasure,"

I say, as I wonder which day

in September will be their last,

before they fly away.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Home Feeder - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Peshawbestown

 

Vines climbed the side of the barn.

Not the broadside, but on the south.

Mostly Virginia Creeper leaves

with a few Wild Grapes entwined.

It was late September

near Peshawbestown. 

And as I took the photo,

I thought about the old windows.

The history behind the frames.

The mystery behind the glass.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. Peshawbestown, Michigan

Sumac

 

As September merges with October,

Staghorn Sumac captures our attention.

Displaying a pleasing palette

of bold autumn colors.

Perfectly pinnacle leaves aligned.

Flaunting red, orange and yellow

on sharp-toothed leaflets

tapering to their tips.

Crowned with clusters

and clumps of fuzzy berries

in burgundy and scarlet;

our showy, native shrub.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1, 2, 3, & 4. Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

Words Obscured

 

The slow summer heat

loitered into mid-September,

so I lingered on the deck

until my written words

were obscured

by the deepening dusk,

and contentment

filled my cup.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Erect

 

These golden towers of September,

erect on their stiff stalks,

catch your outside eye

as they flare in the wind.

They dominate

the early autumn landscape

before aging into

weathered gray flags.

Finally, to rise above

deep winter snows,

erect on stiff stalks. 

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. 2. & 3. Kent County - Michigan

Syllables

 

A Mourning Dove walks

pink-footed through the sand,

unfurling soft syllables

into the September sun.

I glance up from my writing,

look through the binoculars,

and watch the breast feathers

settle back into place.

I look back at my work,

and attempt to write

my own syllables,

but they fall short.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. Canon Township - Kent County - Michigan

Stream Songs

 

Last September, I was blessed

to be listening to the song 

of mountain streams. 

They like to sing all day,

and through the night

when I've gone away.

Sometimes it sounds

like a memory of all

that has passed.

Other times

it's like a prayer

for all that is to come.

I will keep listening,

and remembering,

and praying,

that someday I may live 

near mountain streams,

and listen to their mountain songs.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. South Fork ~ Payette River - Idaho

3. Blackfoot River - Missoula, Montana

4. Arkansas River - Buena Vista, Colorado

Golden Days

 

In September, Colorado aspens

become wicks of candle flame

to enlighten the foothills.

They climb steep 

mountainsides

with bands of yellow.

Backlighting

by the autumn sun

enhances their radiance. 

Aspens dazzle my days,

color the green forests,

illuminate the landscape.

Each golden day

is a new opportunity

to glorify our Creator.

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Silverton, Colorado

2. Grand Mesa, Colorado

3. San Juan National Forest - Colorado

 

"Teewinot"

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"

If I Could

If I could give you
the sound of the rain
falling on leaves of grass
during a warm 
April shower;

If I could give you 
the sound and sight
of golden Aspen leaves
trembling on their twigs
in September elevations;

If I could give you
the steady flight path
of the Great Blue Heron
rowing through the 
humid air of July;

If I could give you
the gift of time
passing by slowly 
in the desert,
like an invitation;

I would.

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Home fields - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. Ouray, Colorado  

3. Rogue River - Rockford, Michigan

4. Canyonlands National Park - Utah

Alone

The older man you saw sitting alone
on the shore of Lake Michigan was me.

You may have noticed my running shoes were off.
I had already run five miles that morning.

Did you notice how quickly I scanned
the sharp line of the western horizon,
with my head, with my eyes?

Left and right, back and forth,
trying to discern the slight
curvature of the earth.
So slight, but perceptible.

Feeling the immensity
of our planet.

Alone, but not lonely.
Sitting on the soothing shore.

Content to write a few words
on a scrap of paper found
in my back pocket.

While my bare feet
grade the soft sand
warmed by the September sun.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: 

North Beach Park - Ferrysburg, Michigan

You may also enjoy six Haiku @ "Photo Haiku ~ Michigan"

Early Autumn Stage

As summer settles
into September,
asters and goldenrod
accept the invitation
for this month
of transition.

Yellow and gold,
purple and lavender,
assume their places
on this early autumn stage.

In the background,
from the percussion section;
acorns and hickory nuts
begin to pound the ground,
zip through layers of leaves,
bounce off the inverted canoe.

And in the evening,
as the air cools,
crickets slow their song.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 3. Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan

2. & 4. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

September Stage

As summer settles
into September,
asters and goldenrod
accept the invitation
to audition
for this month
of transition.

Yellow and gold,
purple and lavender,
assume their places
on this September stage.

In the background,
from the percussion section,
acorns and hickory nuts
zip through the leaves,
pound the ground,
and bounce off my
inverted canoe.

During these cooler nights,
cricket calls seem calmer
as they continue to crank out
their calibrated wing rustles;
soft stridulations 
with temperature affecting
their measured notes.

The stage is set.
Harmony prevails.
The audience approves.

© 2017 Richard Havenga

Given

What has been given
to me,
I want to give
to you:

The magnificent melody
of the Wood Thrush
singing its praise song
on a fresh morning in May. 

The purple clusters
of Lupine
thriving in the
cool Colorado rain.

The flutter of golden
aspen leaves
trembling on their twigs
in the September mountains.

The patter of raindrops
falling a second time;
from the bare twigs
to the forest floor.

Mountain rivers
swirling past Ponderosas
and rushing
between boulders.

What God has given
to me,
I now give
to you. 

© 2016 Richard Havenga

You may also enjoy: "Finding Gifts" - December, 2014

Photo Locations:

1. & 4, Home Woods  (Call of the Wood Thrush )

2. South Fork, Colorado 

3. Ouray, Colorado 

5. Arkansas River - Buena Vista, Colorado