Monday, 22 July 2024

Excursion to East Flanders

Near Deinze on a bright, hot day

A country idyll on display

Quaint church with river Leie nearby

And not a cloud in azure sky.

 

Quiet setting blessed with rural flow

Where 19th century artists go

Inspired by life at slower pace

Away from Industry’s coal face…

 

Machelen – known for famous son

Roger Raveel’s* art is fun:

A mass of colours, magic square

And pop art pillars everywhere.

 

Breadwinner was the artist’s wife

Allowing him an artist’s life

Self-portraits, figures, gold and green

But his ‘red cow’ I’d never seen!

 

Real cows in fields, small cobbled streets

To restaurant where the town meets;

Its water feature - a surprise

A small boy splashes, joy in eyes!

 

A helicopter swoops and lands

But not a flag or large brass band

On this, dear Belgium’s National Day**

Are all its patriots away?


(c) Poet in the woods 2024


* * 21st July


* The Red Cow by Roger Raveel (1921-2013)


Restaurant De Afspanning - Machelen

 

 

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