Through the Valley

 

When the burning tears

of extreme grief

fall from our blurry eyes,

God's kind mercy

will carry us

through the valley,

beyond the shadows,

and after an appointed

period of time,

into the warm light

of healing compassion.

We do not walk alone.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Saguache, Colorado

2. Taylor River Reservoir - Colorado

Hollow Hearts

 

You could read the anguish

in their empty eyes.

The stabbing pain of grief

penetrated deep into their hearts.

They felt abandoned and alone

in a barren desert,

deserted by the death of a loved one.

For years

of pointless days

and vacuous nights,

the inexplicable loss

lingered on the edge

of their depleted lives

as they carried the burden

of a suffering love.

But eventually,

with the gentle 

passage of time,

fortified by their faith,

by the comfort and support

of family and friends,

their hollow hearts

were filled with the peace

of understanding and acceptance.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: Mud Matters Studio ~ Kimberlee Matheny ~ Ceramic Artist

                

Cold Fingers

Sadness accumulated that winter.

It gathered in her heart,
settled in her soul,
was gripped by cold fingers,
as she waved goodbye
to her small family
one more time.

Standing alone again
on the front porch
of her cabin,
she tried hard 
to fight off the
sense of melancholy.

The view of the
snow-covered foothills
urged her to take a hike
with  her devoted dog,
to relive the 
blessed memories
of family, and wait 
for their next visit. 

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Home Fields - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. South Fork, Colorado