Gooseberries

 

As the angle of light lowers,

I'm walking through brittle sage

outside this renowned mountain town.

Gooseberry bushes grow thick

along an old stretch

of rusting barbed-wire fence.

Planted unknowingly by birds;

the same species of bird

now eating their orange-red berries.

Their orange-red heads

with a bright yellow collar

tucked into black shoulders;

Western Tanagers share

the bounty of Gooseberries

with their newly-fledged young,

as the thick, orange-red light of evening

warms their striking colors,

and the foothills around Estes Park.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. 2. & 3. Estes Park, Colorado

 

 

Riversong

Assisted by gravity,
the fluid force
of this mountain stream
surges with conviction.

Flowing freely
between its banks;
fringed with firs
and spruce and pine.

Tanagers and warblers
sing by her side.
Dippers dip and plunge
in her current. 

This is where
I most belong.
Listening to
the riversong.

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Arkansas River - Buena Vista, Colorado

2. Elk River - Steamboat Springs, Colorado

3. & 4. Taylor River - Almont, Colorado

Ascend

Rain showers have ended,
and sharpened the scent
of sage; like incense
ascending into Heaven.

A cold, narrow stream
crawls through this meadow,
obeying gravity,
attracting birds.

A Western Tanager
flares red and yellow
with wings blurred,
pursuing insects.

Another feeds currents
to its fledgling
perched on a 
rusty barbed wire.

Aspens climb the foothills,
and mingle with spruce.
If you listen carefully,
you can hear the earth breathe.

This entire valley is filled
with the breath of sage,
and my gratitude for these gifts
ascends with my praise.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Home Fields - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. Colorado National Monument - Fruita, Colorado

3. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

4. Estes Park, Colorado

5. Ohio Creek - Gunnison, Colorado