This is Part 4 of poetry issues #23. The poem is "Stranglehold" and the visual artwork is "Over the Rainbow". "Stranglehold" was written a few weeks ago (while "Over the Rainbow" was created even earlier). I find it strange how it reverberates with the events that, when it was written, belonged to the future. A lot has been said about the prophetic character of poetry, but I don't think that this is the right quality to attach to it. I'd prefer to put it as "(also) dealing with the constants of life".

This Part is preceded by Parts 1, 2, and 3. The fifth and final part of the issue will follow next week.

You can find out more about the poetry issues project here.

"No, not Love" and "Fish and Hips" are the two pieces comprising Part 2 of poetry issues #23, with infatuation as their main theme.

You can also read Part 1, here. Stay tuned for Part 3, which will be released next Friday.

 You can find out more about the poetry issues project here.

The third poem of poetry issues #23 is called "Something to Wait for". The accompanying piece is "May 1st". Combined, they tell a tale of emotions in the age of commodity. 

You can also read Part 1 and Part 2 of the issue, released the previous 2 weeks.

You can find out more about the poetry issues project here.

Poetry issues #23, 1/5: When This is Over – Take it Slow

"When This is Over" is the first piece of poetry issues #23. Needless to say, it's a take on the corona experience. Its accompanying artwork is called "Take it Slow". Next Friday, the second piece of the issue will be published. Enjoy!

You can find out more about the poetry issues project here.

Unless you are a native Dutch you probably haven't heard of Lisse, although you might have heard of or at least seen pictures of Keukenhof – even though you can't pronounce it right – where the beauty of the tulips is celebrated in all its glory every year. However, Lisse doesn't rest on the fame of Keukenhof and the thousands of tourists surging to admire its flowers, but is actively promoting art and culture for its citizens to enjoy. In this context, every few years the town council appoints a "dorpsdichter", translated literally as "village poet". From 2016 to 2019, Alida van Leeuwen, a very active member of the Lisse community, a laugh psychologist and one of the most positive people I've ever met, was the dorpsdichter of Lisse. During this time she created a poetic collection, Dichter bij Kunst, that has just been published.

Usually I treat each poem as a unique entity but in this case I have to consider the book as a whole to give its contents justice. There are a number of things Alida manages to do in this collection and that need to be mentioned: First of all, she combines her work with the visual work of a number of artists, and the result is beautiful. Thus, we have a full-colored book full of images depicting mostly the natural scenery of the Netherlands but also the human being as part of and in connection to it. Secondly, Alida has collaborated with other poets to create some very unique pieces that stand out for their difference in tone, giving voice to others and letting show the power of co-creation. One of these poems is the result of our collaboration, a work combining two languages, namely Dutch and English.

When reading the poems one has to keep in mind the target group of this book, where it sprang from and what it's trying to honor. The work doesn't claim a position among the poetic masterpieces but its intention is to bring joy and reinforce the pride of the Lisse citizenry, and to be accessible to all. The book is brimming with local imagery, the beauty of the turning seasons and elements specific to the calm, rural life of Lisse. Nevertheless, Alida goes beyond this noble cause and encompasses social inquiry in her work, openly promoting the notions of tolerance, acceptance and inclusiveness – important ideas to propagate, especially when the grip of conservatism is tightening. To illustrate this major point, I will stand on the finishing lines of one admirable piece, celebrating the Polish flower workers in the fields of Lisse: "Houd onze dankbaarheid hen op de been? / Ik betwijfel het. Zij verdienen hun eigen vreugd". ("Does our gratitude keep them going? / I doubt it. They earn their joy themselves"). 

If you can read Dutch and would like to order the book, contact Alida at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Poetry Issues #22 was published and distributed in January and February 2020 in five volumes, online and in postcard format. Below you can read the pieces, view the accompanying visual artwork and get a glimpse at the postcards. The next issue will follow in spring.

 You can read more about the poetry issues project here.

Poetry issues #22, 5/5: The Cat – Journey

This week poetry issues #22 is completed with Part 5, containing the poem "The Cat" and the visual piece "Journey". Together with Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 they comprise the winter issue. Poetry issues #23 will follow in spring.

You can find out more about the poetry issues project here.

Poetry issues #22, 4/5: The Ship – Affair

The past three weeks, Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of poetry issues #22 were published. This week, Part 4, containing the poem "The Ship" and the visual piece "Affair," appears here. The following Friday the last part of the issue will be published.

You can find out more about the poetry issues project here.

Poetry issues #22, 3/5: Erupting – Home

The past two weeks, Part 1 and Part 2 of poetry issues #22 were published. This week, Part 3, containing the poem "Erupting" and the visual piece "Family," appears here. The following two Fridays the last two parts of the issue will be published.

You can find out more about the poetry issues project here.