“That title sounds very heavy, doesn’t it? That’s because of the word “des” in the Dutch language. It has something of the absurd about it and makes it sound very important. It’s a nice but ambiguous title: on the one hand I’m suddenly public property, and have to present well and do my best in public; and on the other hand, I really do get the opportunity to do that. As ‘Dichter des Vaderlands’, every two months I have to write a poem about something of concern to the nation, and also about something I find important. And for me, - due to my brother’s story – that is, for instance, suicide. There may be a book about this later, but right now I’m busy writing a poem, (sighs). Believe me: poetry is hard work. It will work out, but you do want to achieve the ultimate: a punchy text that blows your socks off.”
And if you were to write a poem about your Maasmechelen?
“That would be about trees. They are the source of life. Cherish your trees. Another project for the ‘Dichter des Vaderlands’ is the poplar tree. The black poplar is a native tree, which will disappear ten years from now. Isn’t it intensely sad that a native tree is doomed to disappear? We cut everything down. Even though flora and fauna give you an huge boost. We should think about that more
often. We must embrace nature and cherish it. Believe me, it’s not normal to look out on an apartment block. We need to see the horizon. Dare to go back to the source every now and then. - Away with your Instagrammable life, Netflix and a nice car in front of your house! And we know that, but there’s a difference between words and deeds. Meanwhile this has become cliché and banal. And when I hear myself, I think “Oh, shut up! Go stand in the corner, and be the tormented poet!” But everyone knows what it’s all about.”
“Look, I am inherently linked to the elements of nature. I was born in a part of the world with masses of snow in the winter, wolves, mountains and mulberries. A bit of a Robin Crusoe story. And yes, you then end up in a small village in the Maasland region, where there is also beautiful nature: the Meuse, the Mechelse Heide, the conifers and pine trees around you, canal fishing, ... I enjoy that. Farmers sowing their fields, I became a child again. All images that I saw as a child. Everyone was preoccupied with the weather, because that affected their existence. But now? Good or bad harvest - we can order it somewhere in the world. We buy our own happiness, but at the same time, our own grave. A ship runs aground in the Suez Canal, and the whole world is going crazy. A child less than one year old that swipes a reading book? Come on! That spells disaster for all of us (Silence). (Laughs) Sorry, it’s going to be that kind of interview.”
“That’s also part of a writer’s task: to stand on the sideline, observe and hold up a mirror. Look. Be aware. You have a role, you are another mammal, and you’re right in the middle of it. Not at a distance. Dare to stick your neck out, even if it is at your own cost. That applies to everyone. Believe me: it will make you a richer person. Falling flat on your face is good. But that’s not what we want, we want clean lives. But that’s boring. Be original! There’s gold to be found everywhere, but you must know how to mine it. And dare to get your hands dirty. And yes, it is hard work. For example, there are poems which I can’t manage to tame, but that’s fun! There’s something about the process. Why is a wild mustang from the prairie interesting? Because that animal has primal strength. But if you manage to tame him, you get to ride a mustang, don’t you?”