We've waited a long
three hundred sixty days
for a brief view
of this lovely Trout Lily;
newly emerged from
the beige leaf litter,
from the sun-warmed soil
of these spring woods.
It would be worth
a kneel-down,
a minute for a meet-up,
to get to know
her delicate curves
rising between mottled leaves,
and the red-pollened anthers
of its short life span.
© 2025 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations: Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
Oh, the abundant blessings of my woods.
Especially during the green fire of spring.
uncurl their curved yellow fingers.
And in the near distance,
hidden in the gray branches,
the loyal Wood Thrush
pours out his musical song.
Liquid notes spilling
into the understory,
filling a chalice of praise.
© 2022 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. & 2. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
It's been a long winter;
sometimes violent,
sometimes silent.
But now, spring rains
have greened the grass.
Tulip bulbs, planted last fall,
have bulged deep in the soil
sending pale green hands above ground.
Spring Peepers and Chorus Frogs
have resumed the production
of their wetland musical.
And soon, not quite, but soon,
woodland wildflowers will emerge
from the carpet of dead oak leaves.
© 2023 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. 2. Home Garden
3. 4. Trout Lilies - Home Woods
Don't you love the green space
that early spring brings us?
When the deep purples of hepatica
manifest their soft velvet royalty,
hugging the ground when
the rich soil warms in the woods.
When the vibrant yellows
of Trout Lily brighten
the floor of the forest
arching above bland winter leaves.
When the pure white petals
of Bloodroot unfurl and expand
in warm sunlight, then close
into a cup during overcast.
Don't you love the green space?
© 2022 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan
2. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
3. & 4. Gavin Lake - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan
An overnight chill
silenced the Spring Peepers.
Perhaps tomorrow
the chorus will return,
and the early Trout Lilies
will unfurl, uncurl next week,
followed by Bloodroot
breaking through organic debris,
and wrapped in their own leaves.
as the soft soil of the woods
slowly warms with April.
© 2021 Richard Havenga
Photo Locations:
1. 2. 3. 4. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan
1. & 2. Trout Lily
3. & 4. Bloodroot
