Senses

 

Can you taste

the salty water on your lips

while being thrashed by Atlantic waves?

Or smell the freshness

of spring soil

during an April rain shower?

Can you see diamonds

in the morning dew

sparkling on blades of grass?

Or hear the

melody of the Wood Thrush

singing from his secret woods?

Can you feel the gifts

placed all around you,

waiting for your discovery?

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Sunset Beach, North Carolina

2. Lee County - Illinois

3. Home Fields - Cannonsburg, Michigan

4. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

alpaca

 

good morning to you

time to eat some tasty grass

from my green pastures

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Grand Traverse County - Michigan

Small Herds of Horses

 

From afar,

I have always loved

small herds of horses,

and the mountain meadow

pastures where they live

with apparent contentment.

These large, beautiful animals,

grazing in the grass,

in the shadow of mountains.

I can sense

a peaceful, easy feeling

of intimacy with the land.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

3. Cut Bank, Montana

 

Morning Jewels

In the quiet stillness

of this summer morning,

pearls of dew are cradled 

in arching blades of grass.

No breath of breeze

will roll them from their nest.

Only the climbing sun

and passing time

will make these

morning jewels disappear.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. Home Fields - Cannonsburg, Michigan