(y19)

cruise end
behind a black container
the sun sets

© Gerald England

Composed: North Sea, 23rd June 2006

Unpublished

Holland

HOLLAND

Here, where man has fought the sea and won,
an airport stands at the bottom of a lake,
a factory stands behind a lighthouse
with the wreck of a ship in a farmer's field
twenty kilometres from the present sea.
Called the Ijslemeer it was the Zuider Zee;
what was the sea is merely now a mere.
Dykes defend this vast expanse of polderland,
drained at vast expense, kept daily drained
against the sea that would reclaim its own.

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: North Sea Ferries, 6th July 1980

Publications

1986 Aireings (UK)
1991 The Vincent Brothers Review (USA)
1999 Red Booth Review (Internet)