Ready

 

I am eager to discover,

in the heavenly realm,

the mysteries experienced in this world

during our human existence. 

Will we understand then

what we cannot comprehend now?

The miracles of creation on earth?

Our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit?

When all is finally revealed,

the joy will be overwhelming.

I am ready.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Grand River - Grand Rapids, Michigan

2. Santa Catalina Mountains - Oro Valley, Arizona

3. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

Willing Witness

 

If I should ever be summoned,

I would be a willing witness.

When placed on the stand,

I would raise my right hand,

and swear to tell the truth,

and the whole truth,

so God would help me recall

the multiple miracles of creation

that I've witnessed outdoors

during my life of abundant blessings.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

2. SaddleBrooke, Arizona 

Enough

 

I'm perfectly content, at least satisfied,

to let the inexplicable mysteries of nature

remain mysterious, unresolved.

Not every thing, or process, or event

can be transcribed into language,

and understood using mere words.

To acknowledge beauty,

to cultivate awareness,

to believe in miracles.

That is enough for me.

The transformative power

of paying attention;

that is contentment,

that is enough.

To approach the divine

is more than enough.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Pacific Ocean - La Jolla, California

Essence

"You whose essence is hidden while your gifts are manifest." ~ Rumi

Often overwhelmed

by your magnificent creation,

I seek the essence

of your presence in nature.

Amazed by the variety of life forms,

astonished by the miracles of growth,

I am filled with wonder

and blessed to be a witness,

as I try to express my gratitude 

to our Creator.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Balloon Flower - Home Garden - Canonsburg, Michigan

2. Hummingbird Moth on Wild Phlox - Home Garden.

3. San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area - Sierra Vista - Arizona

4. Small Skipper on Vetch - Home Fields

 

soli gloria deo

 

God's gifts become visible

to those who pay attention.

When we witness the extraordinary

in ordinary days.

Motivated by curiosity,

awareness, and focus.

For the miracles in creation:

"soli gloria deo".

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Common Orange Daylily -Home Woods

2. & 3. Home Lawn

Passing Through

 

Seasons are passing through us

from this vast ocean of sky.

A soft rain shower may be rinsing your face.

The wind could be furrowing your hair.

Red and yellow leaves falling at your feet.

Snow accumulating on your shoulders.

Silver-edged clouds holding the ceiling above your head.

And the light.

It's always the light,

performing miracles

in front of your eyes.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: 

1. Buena Vista, Colorado

2. Kent County - Michigan

Watching Waiting Writing

 

I'm watching the long light of evening

spreading warmly across the clouds,

watching these words spreading warmly

across the long lines of this page.

Waiting for inspiration to arrive.

Working to reveal surrounding blessings.

Writing to share the miracles in nature.

Willing to live a life of profound attention.

Wanting just a little more time.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Big Crooked Lake - Kent County - Michigan

Holding My Breath

 

I can almost hear a voice

emanating from these rays of light,

penetrating my consciousness.

I gather this outside sensation

and take it inside my soul,

believing it may hold answers.

So many miracles out here

competing for my attention.

I realize I'm holding my breath;

like a boy waiting for the next surprise.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Grand Teton National Park

Still 3

 

I am still listening

to wind and rivers

as they each speak

in their unique

languages.

I am still watching the clouds

as they beautify the sky,

and the rain, as it moistens

the thirsty

land.

I am still aging,

but growing in patience,

accepting the reasons for seasons

and the passage of

time.

I am still living a life

of profound attention.

Working to reveal the blessings

that surround me.

Writing, to share the miracles

in nature.

Waiting for more inspiration

to come.

Watching the long light of evening

spreading across the landscape,

and these words

spreading across long lines of the page.

Enjoying this small segment of time,

still wanting just a little more. 

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Snake River - Swan Valley, Idaho

2. Home Sky - Cannonsburg, Michigan

3. Alamosa, Colorado

4. Ada Dam - Ada, Michigan

Chosen

Reader:

I will lend you my words
so you may see
what I have seen
through the eyes of my heart.

May your vision
be illuminated
by words chosen
to shine upon the page;

chosen to reveal
miracles and mysteries,
the spectacles of spring,
the secrets of summer;

chosen to discover
stimulating images
by translating
life into art. 

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Information: 

1. Round-leaved Hepatica - Townsend Park - Kent County, Michigan 

2. Wild Geranium - Home Woods, Cannonsburg, Michigan

3. Blue Flax - Crested Butte, Colorado 

Within this Wedge of Light

Backlit by the sun,
this dragonfly's 
transparent wings 
are a blur times four.

It hovers, then turns,
then darts
diagonally downward,
snaring another flying insect.

Do you admire 
its flight;
forward and backward,
up and down?

Are you amazed
by its maneuverability
and quick strike
capability?

Four wings working
independently,
changing direction,
fast and furious.

I am astounded 
all over again
at the many miracles
available for viewing.

Not only the 
scientific  explanation
of tiny motor muscles,
complex compound eyes,

the minute holes called spiracles
pumping in oxygen
through its narrow,
throbbing abdomen,

not only these,
but the simple pleasure
of merely watching
with wonder

within this wedge
of summer sunlight.

© 2015 Richard Havenga

Soft Parade

Traveling
along this trail of words,
alert among present circumstances,
looking
into secret chambers
of spring wildflowers.

The red and yellow crowns
of Wild Columbine,
and the perky
Blue Flag Iris,
its feet wading
the edge of wetlands.

Wild Geraniums and Honeysuckle
of May
begin to fade away
as Sweet Clover 
and Cinquefoil
take the June stage.

Walking outdoors through
transitions and transformations,
noticing
continuous changes,
daily differences,
miracles by the moment.

Will you witness
this pageant of natural beauty?
Will you observe
this procession of creation?
Will you join this
soft and silent parade?

Is there time
in one of your days
to follow 
this trail of words,
to enter 
these secret chambers? 

© 2015 Richard Havenga

You may also enjoy: Woodland's Royal Crown June 8, 2012  - also about Wild Columbine.

Witness

How long would you wait
to witness the exact moment
a flower opened:

The first, slight split
in the flawless seam?

The slow separation
of soft, sensuous petals?

The graceful curving
into curls and arches?

The profound appearance
of pistil and stamens?

The powdery pollen
clinging to anthers
at the tips of slender filaments?

The prominent stigma,
moist and receptive,
atop the stout style?

Are you waiting,

and watching,

and grateful

for this gentle gift,

created daily
during deep summer?

Will your witness
of these miracles
grow into a prayer
of thanks

from the silence
of your heart?

How long will you wait
to hear
that still, small voice
within?

©  2014  Richard Havenga

Flower Identification and Photo Location:

1.  Hinge Bindweed (Calystegia sepium) - Gun Lake, Michigan

2. Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) - Wabasis Lake Park, Michigan

3. Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorum) - Home Garden

4. Yellow Glacier Lily/Avalanche Lily (Erythronium grandiflorum) 
     - Medicine Bow Mountains, (Snowy Range) Wyoming 

5. Trout Lily/Yellow Fawn Lily (Erythronium americanum) - Home Woods

6. Common Orange Day Lily (Henerocallis fulva) - Home Woods

7. Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense) - Home  Garden

8. Pink Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium acaule) - Townsend Park, Cannonsburg, Michigan

9. Virginia Meadow Beauty (Rhexia virginica) - Shallotte, North Carolina

10. Gunnison's Mariposa Lily (Calochortus gunnisonii) - Boulder County, Colorado

11. Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)- Ada Township, Kent County, Michigan

12. Rough-fruited Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) Canon Township, Kent County, Michigan

13. Chicory (Cichorium intybus) Grattan Township, Kent County, Michigan

14. Hollyhock (Althaea rosea) - Home Garden

15. American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) Grand River, Spring Lake, Michigan

16. Fragrant White Water Lily (Nymphaea odorata) - Freedom Park, Naples, Florida