Distance

There are seventy-five years

of distance between me,

and the black and white photograph 

of a little boy on a rope swing.

My father, Richard,

made this rope swing;

tied to a high tree branch,

sturdy and strong like he was.

My mother, Lillian,

who took the photo in 1951,

said I was a shy and quiet little boy.

I would like to get

inside his head.

I would like 

to give him a push.

© 2026 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Ada Township - Kent County - Michigan

Patient Pioneers

 

Along the boulder's

curving roundness,

circular splotches of lichen

cling tightly to the hardness.

Existing and persisting

for possibly a hundred years.

Weathering the rocks,

penetrating the pores.

Patient pioneers;

crustose creating

colonies of color.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Acadia National Park - Bar Harbor, Maine

2. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

3. Grand Mesa, Colorado

Occasional Tears

In Memory of Aaron Havenga (April 2, 1975 ~ November 20, 1994) 

On his would-be 50th Birthday.

No matter how fast I run,

no matter how far I drive,

I can never return to

the time he was alive.

I think of the grandchildren

that could have been;

had he lived and married,

everyone would win.

How can I ever say goodbye

to all those wonderful years?

It's all I have left of him,

except for occasional tears.

© 2025 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. Fallasburg Park - Lowell, Michigan - Forest Hills Central Cross Country Meet.

2. Reeds Lake Triathlon - East Grand Rapids, Michgian.

3. Niagara Falls State Park - New York.

Coming True

 

The wind is playing

in the golden trees.

Leaves and their shadows

are meeting on the ground.

Seasons are rushing past.

The years are coming true.

Plans are not promised.

Our lives are transitory.

But I am optimistic,

and abundantly blessed.

© 2024 Richard Havenga

Photo Locations:

1. 4. & 5. Wabasis Lake Park - Kent County - Michigan

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

Fifty

 Dear Mary:

Through fifty years

of laughter and crying,

of living and dying,

during losses and gains,

during pleasures and pains,

while traveling or staying,

while hoping or praying,

with anticipation and exploration,

with determination and dedication,

our love has remained,

our faith has sustained.

As our love continues,

it's you I still choose.

I would do it all over again,

amen.

Love,

Rich

Photo Locations: 

1.  770 Pennsylvania Avenue - Denver, Colorado

2. Teton Pass - Idaho/Wyoming border

3. Brighton, Utah