Category: Poems

April 19, 2024 Poems, Poetry, Publications

Online publication April 2024

In April 2024 I participated in the poetry carousel of the Haarlemse Dichtlijn (Haarlem Poetry Line).

This time the strong poem “Durf (Dare)” by poet Monika Joras as inspiration and start of the carousel. Monika has already published many poetry collections which she likes to share with you via her website. My response to her poem, as well as the responses of all other poets, can be read at the website of the Haarlemse Dichtlijn (Haarlem Poetry Line), until a new carousel appears.

Again it has become an interesting carousel from various perspectives. Allow yourself to be inspired. Here you can find Monika’s poem “Durf” which means “Dare”.

Dare, dare to be yourself, be yourself. It sounds so easy and obvious, then why is it often so challenging …

You can find my poem here.

Image co-composed with AI, prompt inspired by my poem “Dare I …”

April 2, 2024 Poems, Poetry, Publications

Online publication March 2024

In March 2024 I again participated in the poetry carousel of the Haarlemse Dichtlijn (Haarlem Poetry Line).

This time a wonderful poem by poet Simon Mulder as inspiration and start of the carousel.
My response to his poem, as well as from all other poets, can still be read at the website of the Haarlemse Dichtlijn.

Again it has become an interesting carousel from various perspectives. Allow yourself to be inspired for as long as the publication is online. You can still read my poem at my poetry page. Simon Mulder’s poem I’ve found here, in the archive of the Haarlem Dichtlijn.

Afbeelding bij gedicht: Misschien wil ik nieuwsgierig blijven naar jou. Winterlandschap met mens in het midden en appelbloesems.

Images created using AI. Prompt components of my poem. In post-production I brought together various images and edited them.

June 12, 2023 Events, News, Poems, Poetry, Publications

Morning Orchestra 1064

A short report in words and images of the festive opening of the exhibition Florilegium Amsterdam 1064 by IJda Smits, in New Metropolis Nieuw-West.

It was a rich program with an opening speech by Rosa van Rumpt, who is program coordinator at the Van Eesteren Museum. Hereafter the third book with a handmade cover was presented.

This was followed by the poetic recitations by me and Azar Tishe.
As promised during the opening, below I share the poem: Morning Orchestra 1064: Rising Harmony, which I wrote especially for and inspired by the Florilegium Amsterdam 1064.

And last but not least, IJda had a surprise for us in store, as we received a crash course in cyanotyping. Awesome! The results were diverse. Here’s my result:

Afbeelding van Cyanotype van een hand.

Missed the opening? You can still admire the beautiful cyanotypes and the Florilegium book until July 1st. Check the website of IJda for the dates and times.

NOTE: the exhibition has been extended and the finissage on July 1st has been postponed to later in July! The exact date will soon be announced.

Afbeelding van Poëzie Voordracht Zatarra Rafaël tijdens opening expo Florilegium Amsterdam 1064.
Afbeelding van Poëzie Voordracht Zatarra Rafaël tijdens opening expo Florilegium Amsterdam 1064.

Above:
poetry recitation by Zatarra Rafaël
Below:
while making a cyanotype

With many thanks for the photos, which were taken by Michiel Wijnbergh.

Afbeelding genomen door Michiel Wijnbergh tijdens mini cursus cyanotypen door IJda Smits tijdens de opening van haar expositie Florilegium Amsterdam 1064.
Afbeelding genomen door Michiel Wijnbergh tijdens mini cursus cyanotypen door IJda Smits tijdens de opening van haar expositie Florilegium Amsterdam 1064.

Morning Orchestra 1064: Rising Harmony

It’s a quiet morning
Fog whisper evaporates gently
in the whooshing, ever-present
undertone of the traffic

The whistles started late this morning
a heron keeps an overview in the dawn
where the orchestra of 1064
start slowly

The first choir members make themselves heard
the percussion has also been awakened
allowing front & rear doors to sound
car doors and a single bicycle bell also participate

The wind sighs, in its deep sleep
a few twigs move silently, back and forth

Then the heron raises its baton
the thistle nods
the white clovers start gently

Ooh dear, what was that…
the doubtful knight’s spur out of tune,
the violets help everything back on track

the shepherd’s purse makes the rapeseed rustle
the ground elder adds a jazzy note
and starts to swing, together with the wild hyacinth

the wind wakes up and allows
the last dandelion fluffs to dance along

the catchweed brings everything together for a conclusion
where the windflower and the arum
close off warmly

Now the throats have been lubricated,
the stems are flexible
and everything is firmly rooted
may the loving noon lake commence

Zatarra Rafaël

Ingekleurde Cyanotype van een knikkende distel door IJda Smits.
Ingekleurde Cyanotype van zuring door IJda Smits.
Ingekleurde Cyanotype van kleefkruid door IJda Smits.

From the top down:

the nodding thistle
the shepherd’s purse and
the rapeseed
the catchweed

Cyanotypes by IJda Smits

April 18, 2023 Poems, Poetry, Publications

Online publication April 2023

In April 2023 I again participated in the poetry carousel of the Haarlemse Dichtlijn.

This time a poem by poet Diana Ozon as inspiration and start of the carousel.
My reaction to her poem: “the stongest,” as well as the reactions from all other poets, can be read for a while on the website of the Haarlemse Dichtlijn.

Again it has become an interesting carousel from various perspectives. Allow yourself to be inspired by all the poems, for as long as the publication is online.

For my poem, I asked myself:
“The strongest, what or who is that?”

You can find my poem here.

(Feather image created using AI. Prompt components of my poem).

Afbeelding van zacht veertje dat neergedwarreld is op mos. Hier symbool voor de veerkracht van zachtheid. Gemaakt met behulp van AI voor bij mijn zelfgeschreven gedicht over wie de sterkste is.