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IJsselmeer on Zuiderzee
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IJsselmeer on Zuiderzee |
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Gene Senior Member
since 2000-01-23
Posts 935Colorado, USA |
Thinking of poor Munda, where she lives...it's beautiful, but better start building bigger dikes, the Global Warming is coming.  The Zuiderzee was an inland sea from which much of the area around Amsterdam was reclaimed. The IJsselmeer Dam is a huge dam or dike. Built on a base of willows and boulders, it runs for 19 miles, separating what was the Zuiderzee from the Noord-Zee (North Sea). Without it, most of Holland (Houtland) would be under water. A polder is a tract of land reclaimed from the sea. Because of the dam, the Zuiderzee has now become IJssel Lake (IJsselmeer). ------ IJsselmeer on Zuiderzee What Noord-Zee wind; what howling blows On and through the Houtland polders, And out across the Nether-Lows; Over way of dikes and boulders, With over-splash at waters crest, As waves lash ‘gainst the IJssel Dam; Gives none, the weary, time to rest, For fear of losing Amsterdam. With ax and shovel well in hand, To shore the walls of earthen dikes, Her people make a gallant stand, To hold back nature’s ruthless strikes, But fear their efforts be for naught If sea reclaims its rightful place. Though battles lost, are those not fought, So onward trodden, human-race! Oh, IJsselmeer on Zuiderzee, Of willows base and rocky shoals, Hold back the force that threatens thee. By will of God, and hearts and souls, Reform the land into a home, ‘til next of tempest trials reclaim What little ground was gained on loan; If only to rebuild again. And Zuiderzee, now IJsselmeer, For pleasure boats and fishing hole, Is just a trace of what was here— For life in trade, we gave our soul. Houtland! Houtland! What have we now? For, every storm and violent gale Serves to remind a silent wow To build, if even no avail ...in memory of dear Zuiderzee. ---- Gene [This message has been edited by u_gene (edited 01-17-2001).] |
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| © Copyright 2001 Gene M. - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Wikket Member
since 2000-01-29
Posts 340Santa Clara, CA USA |
Well hello Gene! Been a long long while, hasn't it!? This is a wonderful piece! I enjoyed it immensly...thanks for the read.  I'm sure Munda will like it!  ~~Jamie  I mean the opposite of what I say. You've got it now? No, it's the other way. ~Bruce Bennett |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Sigh... I'm sitting behind my computer for half an hour now, not knowing what to say... This is great, wonderful, excellent...beautiful and I'm deeply honoured. You did some thorough research on this Gene. LOL Now you know more than I and now you know why Amsterdam was built on piles and alas the Zuiderzee is now Ijselmeer. Some pretty sad songs were written 'bout the loss of the Zuiderzee. We may be a small country (you can have breakfast in Amsterdam, lunch in Brussels and dinner in Paris) but it's a good place to live. Thank you Gene...I have no other words...Thank you.  ((((((((((HUGS)))))))))) Munda |
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kcsgrandma Senior Member
since 2000-09-24
Posts 1522Presque Isle, ME |
Wow! I'm impressed. You taught me something - several things actually - and framed it in spell-binding meter and rhyme. This is very very nice! To love another person is to see the face of God. - Les Miserables Marilyn |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
Oh I love it even more with this extra stanza! Impressed I am...impressed, amazed and still in awe.  |
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pegasus111 Member Elite
since 2000-07-27
Posts 2219ocala, fl, usa |
a very strong post Eugene..powerful..and so informative.. the woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and many miles to go before I sleep...Frost |
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Gene Senior Member
since 2000-01-23
Posts 935Colorado, USA |
Jamie-- Good to see and read you too. Thanks. Marilyn-- pegasus-- Thank you, both. Munda-- I'm so glad you liked it. I didn't know it would touch you that deeply. I was reluctant to write about something like this, being an outsider, but you made my day. You live in a beautiful country. I know you're heart-broken at the loss of the Zuiderzee, but I think the alternative might be worse. ---- Gene [This message has been edited by u_gene (edited 01-16-2001).] |
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Dennis L. White Senior Member
since 2000-02-17
Posts 1463Michigan, U.S.A. |
u_gene, This work shows the excellent research that when into it! This beautifully written narrative with it's definitive preface is a work of art. WELL DONE my friend! Munda must be BEAMING that someone cared enough to write about her Homeland! Dennis :^) Moonbeams radiate When the veiling cloud has passed Playful shadows dance Dennis L. White :^) |
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kaile
since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146singapore |
u_gene i hate to reply in just one or two sentences when its obvious how much thought and effort you have put into your poetry...i might not make constructive comments but i am always glad of the read... thank you |
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