Space and Time

Out here, in the country,
surrounded by green, rural space,
time adopts a softer rhythm,
a more gentle, eternal pace.

Each day is a new invitation
to bring fresh words to birth.
To open windows of wonder,
let readers judge their worth.

Sharing the gifts we are given,
opens possibilities in the mind.
The more we give God our gratitude,
the more precious gifts we will find.

© 2019 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Lund's Landing - North Dakota

2. Allanspark, Colorado

Return

With the hungry curiosity
that opens young minds,

and the intrinsic value

of observations outdoors,

Let us all return with
respect and gratitude:

to the woods and wetlands,
to the fields and prairies,
to the lakes and rivers,
to the meadows and mountains,
to the oceans' shores;

relevant with wonder,
resonant with mystery.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

You may also enjoy one of my oldest posts from my first week of blogging: 
Find Your Place ~ April 10, 2012

A special thanks to: Ross & Chanda Peterson; Jess & Max Causer for permission to photograph their children. 

Photo Locations:

1, 2, & 3. Home Woods - Cannonsburg, Michigan

4. Payson, Arizona

Found Poetry 2

Often, when I'm reading prose, (usually creative non-fiction, and nature related essays) I discover during the re-reading , that certain passages sound very much like poems. I know this is nothing remarkable to writers and discerning readers, but it occurs frequently in my reading. This is my second example of "Found Poetry"...

"The liturgy of dawn signals the wonder of the arriving day. The magic of darkness breaking through into color and light is such a promise of invitation and possibility." 

from: 
To Bless the Space Between Us (A Book of Blessings)  © 2008
by John O'Donohue  (p. 191)


You may also enjoy: Found Poetry (May 18, 2015)


Photo Location:

1. Bushnell, Florida 

Pope John Paul II

LETTER OF HIS HOLINESS POPE JOHN PAUL II  TO ARTISTS -  1999

"To all who are passionately dedicated to the search for new "epiphanies"  of beauty so that through their creative work as artists they may offer these as gifts to the world."

"Artists of the world, may your many different paths all lead to that infinite Ocean of beauty where wonder becomes awe, exhilaration, unspeakable joy.

"And may your art help to affirm that true beauty which, as a glimmer of the Spirit of God, will transfigure matter, opening the human soul to the sense of the eternal."

A special thanks to:

"Who Is My Neighbor? Conference & Art Exhibit" (Art - Faith - Community) (Neighbor)

Held at the Catholic Information Center (Catholic) - Grand Rapids, Michigan  April 25 - 26, 2014.


Photography by Richard Havenga.


Photo Locations:

1. Wasatch Mountains - Provo, Utah (Utah) 

2. Sunset Beach,  North Carolina  (North Carolina) 

3. Tin Cup, Colorado (Colorado)