Heaven Between the Trees

 

Now that the sun has

migrated back to the north,

I don't have to wait as long for

first light to turn into first color,

for morning to open the day.

The birds wake earlier

and stay later in April.

American Goldfinches

are beginning to show color;

slight hints of yellow feathers.

In about four to six weeks,

all of our colorful warblers

will be migrating and singing

their parts in the sweet choir

in the temple of our woods.

Heaven between the trees.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. Lowell Township - Kent County - Michigan

3. Wabasis Lake Park - Kent County - Michigan

Windows of Your Heart

 

Open the windows of your heart.

Extend the antenna of awareness.

Examine the ordinary,

until it becomes extraordinary.

Be alert, and listen to your muse.

Prepared to capture ideas and images.

Then express what you truly feel.

Write of things that make your heart sing.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

1. Home Garden - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Songs of Singers Singing

 

A continuous banner of birdsong

was quavering

in the light of dawn.

It was like listening to the symphony

and trying to hear

each individual instrument.

This was no ordinary concert,

for the migrating warblers

had joined the year round residents.

It was the marvelous 

month of May in Michigan;

magnificent!

My ears were filled with joy

as my brain picked out

the songs of singers singing.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations (with bird ID):

1. Prothonotary Warbler - Kalamazoo River - Allegan County - Michigan

2. Cape May Warbler - Ada Township - Kent County - Michigan

3. Bay-breasted Warbler - Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

4. Wilson's Warbler - Ada Township - Kent County - Michigan

5. Scarlet Tanager - Home Woods - Grattan Township - Kent County - Michigan

Singing Branches

The leaves on the branches
are singing with the wind.

The bluebirds on the branches
are singing their dedicated songs.

The poem 
I wanted to write
never got started
for all the singing 
from the branches. 

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:  Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

The Vault

for Michelle Ogren - Music Director at St. Patrick Church 


As we sing and exalt His name with praise,
may song illuminate our precious days.

May song echo through the vault of our skies
and reach its goal: be pleasing in God's eyes.

© 2017 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Grand Teton National Park ~ Wyoming  

2. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan 

Green Mansions

I walk into these woods;
green upon green,
shade upon shade,
under a summer canopy,
inside a living tapestry,
with Spirit voices singing:

"In my father's house
are many mansions." 
~ John 14:2

© 2017 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan 

Angel Voices

When I close my eyes in church,
at the Friday morning mass,
the transparent voices
of the children's choir
mingle with the 
voices of angels.

And the people
in the pews 
at St. Patrick's
are praying:
"Let us rejoice
and be glad!"

© 2017 Richard Havenga

Psalm 118:24

Photo Location:

St. Patrick's Church - Parnell, Michigan