Gert W. Knop Poet Tanka

Roald Amundsen (1872-1928)

Erster am Südpol
Geheimer Wettlauf mit Scott
Im ewigen Eis

Auf Rettungsflug für Nobile
Verschollen im Eismeer 

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First at the South Pole
In a secret race with Scott
In the eternal ice

On a rescue flight for Nobile
Missing over the Arctic Ocean

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Primero en el Polo Sur
En carrera secreto con Scott
En los hielos eternos

En vuelo savamento a Nobile
Desaparecido sobre el océano Ártico




Note: Roald Amundsen (1872 – 1928), a Norwegian explorer of polar regions led the first
Antarctic expedition to reach the South Pole (1910-1912). He was the first person to reach
both poles. Me was reported missingin at plane crash during a rescue mission for Umberto
Nobile  in 1928 northwest of Bear Island in teh Arctic Ocean. Umberto Nobile (1885 – 1978)
was an Italian airship pioneer and general. He was injured when he crashed and rescued by
a Swedish pilot. Mussolini degraded him and Nobile emigrated first to the Sovjet Union,
later to the USA and to Spain. In 1945 he was rehabilitated and returned to Italy.

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Linda-Marie Sweetheart July 22, 2010 at 3:43 PM I could not see the icon for Soup Mail for u Gert therefore am asking this question.. do u know any Polish? and if so who might have penned WeSol YCH Swiat.. meaning Merry Christmas in Polish..all I could think of to assist me was u dear friend.. thankxxx with luv..

Poet Destroyer A July 20, 2010 at 3:33 AM Gert, a wonderful Tanka, and a sad tragedy. I have read about him believe it or not,, I am such a history freak,, Especialllly about plane crashes, it is always good to know,,who ddi what. And what happen to them. Nice to have read on both pilots, enjoyed,,p.d.

Sena Slaughter July 19, 2010 at 2:00 PM Very cool write. Thanks for the history lesson too, as it was very interesting.

Wilma Neels July 19, 2010 at 8:45 AM I enjoy your pieces with the footnotes to explain them even better to us Gert.. Thank you for well wishes with regards to my sleep hehe.. To answer your question, I live in Cape Town, South Africa.

Linda-Marie Sweetheart July 18, 2010 at 3:20 PM Such an interesting footnote Gert as well as a fantastic poem ... thankxx for the many phrases u are translating for me.. I am copying them down in my notebook to take with me.. hopefully I will learn something while there too.. to make u proud.. enjoyed and thankxxx for your always welcome comments on my many poetry readings.. with luv..

Carolyn Devonshire July 18, 2010 at 1:52 PM Gee, I hadn't heard of this explorer, Gert. History books here don't even mention him, so I must thank you for the lesson. He sounds like quite a daredevil. (I would like to meet a man with his adventurous spirit!) Terrific poem that reads well in all three languages. Always the teacher you are and I am a grateful student. Love, Carolyn

Sara Kendrick July 18, 2010 at 12:43 PM Interesting write about these real men of yore...Thanks for the educational write that you have penned...Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my work..It is Doris(my daughter) that has been in the hospital...She had surgery for a bulging disc and she has had trouble swallowing and a sore throat from the surgery...Sara

Andrea Dietrich July 18, 2010 at 10:52 AM thanks for this little glimpse at history , Gert and the poem to go with it. I dont' even have time for facebook trying so hard to fit in Soup today and now I have many events at church to attend to. Have a good day. If I am ever at Facebook soon, I will take a look see. LUv, Andrea