dVerse challenge to write a poem to “bridge the gap” between two book quotes…
“You American Calvinists have done pretty well at preserving the major and minor melodies of the Genevan Psalter. Psalm 42, 68 and 73 are all in your Psalter Hymnal.” (1)
Need a windmill erected or a canal dug?
leave it to the Dutch who reclaimed their land
from the sea and their church from the Arminians.
The frozen chosen sing hymns loud and proud
yet aren’t opposed to a cold beer after baling hay.
Dutch immigrants left old country and old folks
verwelkomen to America. The old ways hung on:
check planting, milking Holsteins, tulip festivals.
Some people think Dutch Calvinists are stodgy;
it’s plain stubbornness, which serves them well.
They are a resourceful, hard working lot;
thrifty, loyal as orange, clean to a fault and
possessing an earthy sense of humor.
“It was the Dutch who discovered that adding the Common Juniper’s dark blue berries to a strong but tasteless and colorless liquor gave it a unique taste.” note: gin was first called “hollands” (2)
- p. 27, Style & Class by Sietze Buning
- p. 45, North AmericanTrees, Fandex Family Field Guide
a poem in my pocket 
May 13, 2018 @ 19:59:56
That would make a good description for anyone to aim to become: “They are a resourceful, hard working lot”
May 14, 2018 @ 07:06:00
Yes, characteristics worthy of imitation! Thanks, Frank.
May 12, 2018 @ 13:49:50
Interesting note about the original name of gin! Are you Dutch, Lynn? It seems you hold their virtues in high regard. I am also curious about check planting…
May 12, 2018 @ 18:31:46
You guessed right at my Dutch heritage 😉 The early Dutch farmers in America planted crops in perfect open squares (so they could cultivate both directions). We now plant in tight rows.
May 12, 2018 @ 09:15:11
Indeed… stubborn people… my wife works with a Dutch company… and it has its good days and those when it’s less so.
May 12, 2018 @ 11:55:23
Many people of Dutch heritage live in our local area 🙂
May 12, 2018 @ 06:50:53
This is charmingly written, and love the photo!
May 12, 2018 @ 07:54:14
Thanks, jilly…I took photo at Pella, IA, after their tulip festival 🙂
May 11, 2018 @ 23:01:41
Always a good reminder to appreciate the Dutch! Stubbornness is bravery, loyalty, and patience. Thanks for sharing!
May 12, 2018 @ 07:52:12
Yes…and determination! Thanks for commenting 🙂