Surrendered

 

Shadows of twilight

smothered the foothills,

climbed the mountain heights.

Last spears of sunlight

pierced thickening clouds,

then surrendered to the night.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Returning

 

Returning

to the Atlantic Ocean

is like a homecoming.

Although my home

is on a pleasant peninsula

between the Great Lakes,

the warm water

of Florida's gulf coast

is always welcoming.

The perpetual motion

of the soothing surf

carries contentment,

shimmering in the sunlight,

settling into saturated sand,

washing my thoughts upon the shore.

© 2023 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 3. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park - Florida

2. Grand Haven State Park - Michigan

Glimpse of Heaven

 

Heading for the trailhead

to explore the eastern foothills,

I look back westward

at a glimpse of Heaven.

Rays of sunlight

slash through tattered cumulus,

warming the broad valley

this summer afternoon.

All is well out here near

Pray, Montana.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Pray, Montana

Contours of Creation

 

Inside the contours of creation,

God hides while we seek.

From the vast oceans of the earth,

or within the least little raindrop,

He is present in His creation.

In the first glimpse of sunlight

at the edge of dawn,

He is shining bright with promise.

In the last glimpse of sunlight

before the arrival of dusk,

He is shining bright with hope.

© 2022 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Muir Beach Overlook - California

2. Home Fields - Cannonsburg, Michigan

3. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

4. Estero, Florida

After Rain

 

After six days of overcast,

it's restorative to see

the blue dome of sky

emerging  from the gray,

and dripping with sunlight.

Sunlight that sparkles

from rounded raindrops

that cling to the undersides 

of yellow Sugar Maple leaves

gathered on the ground.

Raindrops that magnify

the prominent veins

that once brought life

to the leaves when

they were green.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

1.  2. & 3. Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

The Arms of God

 

When slices of sunlight

penetrate the branches of our east woods,

I extend my arms in gratitude

for these inspiring shafts of light;

accepting this morning offering,

reaching for the arms of God.

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

1. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Pleats

The greening

wrinkled pleats

of emerging leaves

are being smoothed out

by the slanted sleeves

of spring sunlight. 

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

American Beech (Fagus Grandifolia) Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

Silk

Rainbowed streaks
of spider silk
play with sunlight
and a breath of breeze.

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. & 2. Dixon, Illinois

The Color of Light

Look how the sunlight
examines your small plot of earth
(or acres if your lucky).

Hour by hour,
streaking through summer leaves.

Season by season;
dazzling the hills of snow,

warming the soil in spring fields,
softening the mountain edges,
washing the rushing streams.

Watching every day;
especially evenings,
when the color of light
warms,
just before it fades.

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. Longmont, Colorado

3. Ada Township - Kent County - Michigan

4. Red Hill, New Mexico

5. Arkansas River - Buena Vista, Colorado

6. Sierra Vista, Arizona 

Vascular

In these spring trees
sap is rising up the xylem
in tiny hidden tubes
within the cambium.

Climbing against gravity,
seeking the highest heights.
earnest to swell new buds
at the tender tips of twigs.

Purposed to expand new leaves
that can gather precious sunlight
and send a new kind of energy
down the phloem: C6 H12 O6.

© 2020 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) - Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

2. Red Maple (Acer rubrum) - Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

One More Glimpse

                         In Memory of:

Aaron Richard Havenga (April 2, 1975 ~ November 20, 1994) 

Spears of sunlight
penetrate holes in the clouds.

Your signal (to me)
that all is well
in the radiance
of your new home.

Memories of you return
in waves of autumn light
recalling your exceptional performance
in running Cross Country (at FHC).

Memories of you return
on a soft summer breeze
that cooled you as you hiked
the Appalachian Trail (with Ross).

Memories of you return
watching your big smile
as you "spray" a large plume
while water-skiing at Payne Lake.


Memories of you return
in the depths of winter cold
as you rode our local slopes
at Cannonsburg Ski Lodge.

I want to ride up
those shafts of sunlight
to get just one more glimpse of you,
to help me through a few more years,
until I can join you in the heavenly realm.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

secrets shared

Segments of sunshine
are blinking through old white pines,

then the land
exhales a soft breath.

I hear it whispering
among fine, glossy needles,

and listen for secrets shared
between trees and breeze.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: White Pine - Grattan Township - Kent County, Michigan

follow

Photo Location:

LaJolla, California 

Dancing Light

The slant of sunlight
is caressing
the surface of the stream;

this film of wavering water
dancing with liquid light,
reflects upward, 

shimmering the undersides of leaves,
reaching out like warm hands
just above the cold current.

Captured by this dance
of light and water,
I cannot turn away.

Must stay:
to feel 
what the Spirit is sharing,

to learn the language,
to translate the dance
into words.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: 

Townsend Park - Kent County - Michigan

You may also enjoy: "Dawn's Early Light III" ~ October 25, 2013

Silent Towers

Rooted in the solid earth,
nourished by mineralized soil,
stretching for the sun's light,

prayers of gratitude
rise from arms
raised toward Heaven.

Such satisfying work.

God, please grant me
the perseverance 
of these trees;
these silent towers
of praise.

Until 
after that final,
wonder-filled journey,

I shall be 
in the light.

And understand
the mystery.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan 

2. Snake River - Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming

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