Holland

I live in the land
where seas are high
and soils are low
where dikes and dunes
are border posts of
safe and sound

I live in the land
where sea levels rise
and soil levels sink
where boats look down
on red tiled roofs
and tops of trees

I live in the land
where sand and clay
replace the rock
where houses on piles
stand straight and strong
in shrinking peat

I live in the land
where poets have sung
of slow moving rivers
in infinite lowlands
where painters have praised
the grey kaleidoscope above
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

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Suzadail Jr. Avatar
June 3, 2009 at 7:36 AM
Congrats on your tribute to the beautiful "Holland" being featured. Vince
Tugaff Avatar
June 1, 2009 at 12:53 AM
Congratulations on this featured poem. Ernilando
Fraser Avatar
May 10, 2009 at 2:44 AM
What an amazing write to your country Niels, to me the Dutch are a lovely nation, must get there one day, James.
Moreno Avatar
May 3, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Niels, my belated congrats in making the semi finals...Raul
Mason Avatar
April 22, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Well I enjoyed this back in March when I commented and WOW here it is a "first round survivor" ... smile ... congratulations and good luck in the contest, Niels.
Brown Avatar
April 10, 2009 at 4:09 AM
Congratulations on your poetry making it in the semi finals. Wishing you the best of luck in the finals neils. Love, Carol
Adeite Avatar
April 4, 2009 at 10:08 PM
congrats on a well desevered first round survival. wishing you all the best in the finals. love Leke
Richards Avatar
April 2, 2009 at 6:24 PM
I love this tribute to your homeland! Good luck in the finals, and congratulations on making it through the first round!! :) ~ Carrie
Bickerstaffe Avatar
March 22, 2009 at 4:28 AM
Certainly a different perspective! Well done my friend!! Best wishes, Keith
Esquire Avatar
March 21, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Dear Niels,Congratulations on YOUR Featured POEM "Holland" Until now I have never been to Holland as I stepped off the boat on to the roof of YOUR house ThankYOU for bringing me to YOUR Country Such a vision of Beauty "where painters have praised the grey kaleidoscope above" ALWAYS...HG
Ross Avatar
March 19, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Very nice paints a wonderful picture, image in the mind.
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
March 19, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Congratulations Niels on the featuring of "Holland." Vince
Maughan Avatar
March 18, 2009 at 9:57 AM
GREAT PICTURES PAINTED IN MY MIND!!!WHAT A BEAUTIFUL POEM! LOVE AND PEACE, ROBIN
Austin Avatar
March 17, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Love your mast's eye view...where else but Holland. Love, daver
Rider Avatar
March 17, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Wonderul imagery! Congratulations on being featured! ~Trudy~
Winter Avatar
March 16, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Congratulations on your wonderful poetry being featured this week! Love, Shar
Townsend Avatar
March 16, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Congratulations on being featured this week! Smiles from Lolita
Mason Avatar
March 15, 2009 at 1:03 PM
I am truly envious, Niels. My son had a visit to Amsterdam a few year back and sent postcards of VanGogh's museum ... I love the tulips and windmills ... how beautifully you've written here and congratulations on having this wonderful poem featured this week at the Soup!!
Devonshire Avatar
February 15, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Niels, your homeland sounds magical! I've always wanted to visit the Netherlands, but never more than after reading this verse. Carolyn
Burton Avatar
November 30, 2008 at 10:16 PM
beautiful to the soul of mine and deep to my heart and i want to go write something right now.
Gorelick Avatar
November 19, 2008 at 1:14 PM
hello neils, I really like this look at your home. In pictures it has always seemed so beautiful. Nicely done. BG
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