after the storm
a clear azure sky
fringed around
by gathering cloud

sitting on the grassy dyke
watched cautiously
by ewes and lambs
the lakes in the boggy fen
scintillated in the early sun
rushed around by reeds
ducks
plovers
waders
horses untethered
grazing on the cut fields
barns so high and pointed
they rise above
the farmyard sheltering trees

on the road below
lorries
cars
motorbikes
rush south
for the Afsluitdijk
but along the side
a bow-legged cyclist
wobbles along
against the flow
he raises his arm
"Hoi"
"Hoi"

westward
the islands are clear
from Texel to Ameland
the 10 o'clock ferry
for Terschelling
hoots its departure
threading its way
through fishing boats
and yachts
scattered
like confetti
after a wedding
on the blue grey sea

as I turn
I see one, two,
three,
no six church towers
out across the polders
but I had better go
a sheep is weeing
next my coat
it seems a poet
is never appreciated
in his ancient heath!

Hoi!