Floating Reflections

 

Resilient reeds rise

from the silky water

of evening.

Contours of 

cream-colored clouds

undulate on the surface.

Floating reflections

stroking the

wavering reeds.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Pickerel Lake Park - Kent County - Michigan

Reeds

 

These flexible reeds,

in knee deep water,

rise in slender columns

above the lake,

lean in the wind,

create delicate, artful arches,

sway with undulating waves,

provide shelter for nymphs,

resting places for dragonflies,

add substance to the shallows,

and focal points for 

your admiring eyes.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: 

1. Leland, Michigan

2. McCarthy Lake - Cannonsburg, Michigan

The Poetry of Reeds

 

Like poets,

they do not have a large audience,

yet, they move, when they must, 

with a grace that's resilient, benevolent. 

Yielding to waves.

Persuaded by the wind.

Enduring winter's ice.

Emerging in the spring.

Arching above the water

with architectural strength.

Like poets,

they do not have

a large audience.

They simply

live a life

of quiet existence.  

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Leland, Michigan

2. 3. & 4. McCarthy Lake - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

Morning Walk

 

This evening in my library,

I think about my morning walk.

Along the curving edge

of this hilly hay field;

windrows drying in the sun;

inhaling the perfect aroma.

Then across our gravel road

to the north shore 

of McCarthy Lake.

I stepped softly to the end

of the old wooden dock,

avoiding little clumps

of dried muskrat dung.

I admire the flexible reeds,

projecting from calm water,

arching into their reflections.

Standing, watching, breathing,

waiting for something to happen.

A sudden slosh

from the edge of the thick cattails.

Too loud, too large to be a fish.

An OTTER !

First one I've seen

in my twenty-three years here.

Showing his teeth,

showing the bullhead

he just captured

from the shallows.

Rising above the surface,

looking back at me,

showing surprise

at my otter surprise.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

2. & 3. McCarthy Lake - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

curtain

reeds formed a curtain

above the shallow water;

it sways with the waves

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:  Leland, Michigan

Deep Dreams

Any day now,
the lake will freeze over.

Winter
will tighten its grip.

You will dream

of the dry desert.

I will dream

of the Sanibel shorebirds.

Time has migrated here to the north,
to stand steadfast for many months.

Our dreams will deepen
like the silencing snow
of acceptance,

and will adapt 
like resilient reeds
in the winter winds.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 6. Reeds Lake - East Grand Rapids, Michigan

2. & 3. Saguaro National Park - Arizona

4. & 5. Sanibel Island - Florida

7. McCarthy Lake - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Thoreau

Live in each season as it passes, ...
And resign yourself to the influences of each.
Be blown on by all the winds." 

~ Henry  David  Thoreau 

Journal - August 23, 1853