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

Walk With You

Upon the shoulders of mountains,
under the vast roof of stars,
I will walk with you.

Along the ribbons of rivers,
along the shallow shore,
I will walk with you.

In the cathedral of trees,
on desert paths of cactus,
I will walk with you.

Within choirs of birdsong,
and evenings of crickets,
I will walk with you.

All the days of this life
God has given me to live,
I will walk with you.

Please come along
on this trail of life,
and walk with me.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. West Elk Wilderness - Gunnison National Forest - Colorado

2. Crested Butte - Colorado

3. Sunset Beach - North Carolina

4. Tucson, Arizona

5. Cannonsburg State Game Area - Kent County - Michigan

6. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

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

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

Soft Mystery

What soft mystery
is developing 
inside the purity
of this  white 
cactus flower?

A ring of spectators
circles the stage
to witness,
or to participate in,
a pollination ballet. 

© 2014 Richard Havenga

Dedicated to:
Joanne Jaglowski - Ballerina extraordinaire. 


You may also like: "Pollination Ballet" - June 3, 2013


Photo Location:

Saguaro National Park - Tucson,  Arizona 

Photo Haiku - Desert Series

looks like a mirage

color and texture surreal

Teddy Bear Cholla

mounds of Prickly Pear

Saguaro dominating

Poppies paint our path

three strong Saguaros

reminds me of Calvary

rise from bouldered slope

(Click on photos to enlarge)



Photo Locations:

1.  Gateway Loop,  McDowell Sonoran Preserve,  Scottsdale,  (Scottsdale)  Arizona

2. Finger Rock Canyon,  Pusch Wilderness,  (Pusch)  Tucson,  Arizona

3.  50 - Year Trail,  Coronado National Forest,  (Cornado)  Tucson,  Arizona  (Arizona)

Photo Haiku - Cactus

perfectly balanced,

oval, green pancakes with spines

Prickly Pear Cactus

lean desert tower

surviving another drought

four arms are weary



Barrel Cactus buds

have a red and green Christmas

be careful, stay sharp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Click on photos to enlarge) 

 

 

 

Photo Locations: 

 

1.  Zion National Park,   (Zion)  Utah

 

2.  Saguaro National Park - East,   (Saguaro)  Tucson,  (Tucson)  Arizona

 

3.  Oro Valley,  (Oro Valley)  Arizona

 

 

Photo Haiku - Arizona

gentle slopes grow steep

horses graze in yellowed grass

hope for rain from clouds

spined circular pads

purple-red fruits bulge from rim

Prickly Pear Cactus

industrious bird

drilled the holes,  filled them with nuts

Acorn Woodpecker

strong Christian symbol

this cross is formed of granite

solid as my faith

columns of sharp spines

ridges, furrows, and shadows

Saguaro close-up

a fork in the road

the decision won't take long

take the least traveled

Arizona Photo Locations:

1. Huachuca Mountains (Huachuca Mountains)
2. Molino Canyon (Molino Canyon)
3. Ramsey Canyon (Ramsey Canyon)
4. Sabino Canyon (Sabino Canyon)
5. Saguaro National Park (Saguaro Nat. Park) - East
6. Ash Canyon (Ash Canyon)