shoulder of the mountain

 

the end of the day

the shoulder of the mountain

cradles evening sun

© 2021 Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Moran, Wyoming

The Gift

Click on photo to enlarge.

Slash Pine - Pinus elliottii


Photo Location:

Estero,  (Estero)  Florida (Florida)

The Same Sun

Evening gathers gently
around the shoulders
of summer trees.
Birds settle into the arms
of darkening branches
for the night. 

I look into the high sky
at the silvery gibbous moon,
and the yellow head of a
towering cumulus;
each collecting and reflecting
light from the same sun.

The same sun
that has settled
beyond my horizon.
The same sun
that has left me
reflecting on my days.

Reminding me
to praise
the one
who made the sun,
and gave me eyes to see:
moon, clouds, birds, trees.

©  2013  Richard Havenga

Photo Location:

Pickerel Lake Park,  (Pickerel)  Kent County,  Michigan

Click on photo to enlarge.

The Arrival

between the arrival
of the first bats
when dusk gains strength,

and the arrival
of the first stars
when darkness overcomes,

is the perfect time
for another short walk
on this long summer evening;

before returning indoors
and finding the bookmark
awaiting my arrival.

 

©  2013  Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

Grand Teton National Park,  (Tetons)  Wyoming

Grand Traverse Bay,  Traverse City,  (Traverse City)  Michigan

Heron Dreams

Heron Dreams

Twilight takes its slow turn

at pulling down the sun.

Finished feeding for this day,

broad wings stroke the evening air,

rowing steadily through the gathering dusk.

Color fading during the long flight home.

Great Blue Heron

will arrive at its roost

to start another dark night

wading in dreams of stalking prey,

or waiting for the slow turn of the earth

with a simple faith in tomorrow,

the next rising of the sun.

Always tomorrow,

to return again

as we await

the blessed hope. 

© 2013 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: 

Sabine National Wildlife Refuge - Hackberry, Louisiana 

Keeping a Journal

This poem is written by William Stafford. From his collection: An Oregon Message c 1987
(An Oregon Message)
Keeping a Journal

At night it was easy for me with my little candle
to sit late recording what happened that day. Sometimes
rain breathing in from the dark would begin softly
across the roof and then drum wildly for attention.
The candle flame would hunger after each wafting
of air. My pen inscribed thin shadows that leaned
forward and hurried their lines along the wall.


More important than what was recorded, these evenings
deepened my life: they framed every event
or thought and placed it with care by the others.
As time went on, that scribbled wall-- even if
it stayed blank-- became where everything
recognized itself and passed into meaning.

Photo Location: Blue Springs Reservoir, Utah (Utah)