Gold and Silver

 

Dawn is a gift,

given to you

every day.

A gift you can open

each morning

you find yourself alive.

A new day,

golden with opportunity,

silver with possibility.

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Lowell Township - Kent County - Michigan

2. Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

Opportunities

The pull of the river
carries you toward the future;
proposing your purpose,

dropping the residue of regret,
now accumulating unseen
in the silt below the current.

Rounded wrinkles
ride the surface,
appearing, disappearing. 

Sliding over the smooth
surface of the present,
presenting opportunities for change.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Blackfoot River ~ Missoula, Montana

2. Upper McDonald Creek ~ Glacier National Park - Montana

3. Pickerel Lake Park - Fred Meijer Nature Preserve - Kent County - Michigan

Reading the River

The steady pull of the river
carries you toward the future,
proposing your purpose;

dropping the residue of regret,
now accumulating unseen
in the silt of the riverbed.

Rounded wrinkles swirl on the surface;
appearing and disappearing.

The fluid edges of light
bending blue and gold.

Like opportunities for change
sliding over the smooth current
of the present.

Slowing down, 
taking some time
to see what else

the river may bring. 

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Pickerel Lake Park ~ Fred Meijer Nature Preserve

Opportunity

Birds cast their songs
into the silence of dawn
to open a new day,
a new opportunity
to display their gifts.

To merely be present
is an opportunity
for acceptance;
for gratitude
for gifts
given.


As crystals melt
from the sharp edges
of translucent ice
enclosing this winter creek,

a Black-capped chickadee
lightens your morning 
with cheerful loyalty.

As a silver fog
veils the wet woods,
and dissipates
with the rising sun,

an Eastern Meadowlark,
yellow breast to the sun,
throws his joyful voice your way.

As the dew,
gathered overnight 
on silken threads,
evaporates
with the morning breeze,

a Song Sparrow
welcomes you
to his solo performance.

To merely be present
is another opportunity
for acceptance;
for gratitude
for gifts
received.

Do you have one hour
of this one  morning
out of your one life?

© 2015 Richard Havenga 

Photo Locations:

1. Bear Creek - Townsend Park - Kent County, Michigan

2. Chief Hazy Cloud Park - Ada, Michigan

3. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

4. Grattan Township, Kent County, Michigan

5. Ada Township, Kent County, Michigan

6. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan