Our journey goes in circles
steady upward and around
through a little mountain village
and higher still towards the sound

of cow bells ringing in the meadows
along the footpath where we go
passing little streams of water
reflecting sunlight in their flow

When we reach a higher terrace
we stand and overlook the view
so much wider in perspective
than we, lower, barely knew

It takes altitude and distance
to see the picture as a whole
giving purpose to our journey
in the calmness of the soul

Eelco van der Waals
25 August 2025

I never asked for
a picture of you.

All I have is the one
my eyes captured
at the first glance of you
and fixed it forever
in my heart.

That is what I carry
in my heart
all the time
anywhere I go—
and that is enough.

Deeper and deeper
with every breath
at the break of day

Eyes between
open and closed

Circle of light
and freshness

Inward expanding
outward contracting

Infinity in the
palm of your hand

Clarity your companion
for the rest of the day

Eelco van der Waals
15 September 2025

I lap from puddles,
tasting of blistered bark,
teeth green from moss
the deer abandoned.

fed the fire with Walden,
its spine snapped
like a rabbit’s neck.
Ash branded my palms
with unread philosophy.

Soon it will be winter.

I’ll freeze stiff: a fallen carcass
unless poems hatch inside me,
larvae splitting bone from within.

Watch me stand up to the darkness
Their perfect protagonist

As I do, whatever it takes
So we can see the sun again
I'll do, whatever it takes
I'll even disturb our fragile peace


Just, to prove, that I am not like you
We see through different eyes

But, it's true, that I am just like you
The truth I try to hide


They say I'm good, you're bad
Yet we both want peace
But only if it brings us glory

They cheer as I start this pity war
To prove that I am superior
They believe me when I say it's for the sun
But it's just to feed my ego

So I waste all our precious time
I spark this selfish fight


Just, to prove, that I am not like you
We see through different eyes

But, it's true, that I am just like you
The truth they will deny


I, decide, what I want to be right
And I have to prove that it is true

So, I'll waste, the rest of our precious lives
Until they look at me instead of you


Their perfect protagonist
Fighting against darkness

I'll do whatever it takes
I'll even disturb our fragile peace


Just, to prove, that I am not like you
We live two different lives

But, it's true, that I am just like you
The truth will come to light

Would, you prove, while they withhold their praise
That you're better than me

But, it's true, we both fight a pity war
We just wish that we were right