Slowly floating down the canal at Kinderdjik, we looked up amazed at the giant windmills. We were told that people lived in the windmills and there was a waiting list for those who wanted to live in one. It was a beautiful, serene site, the bank lined with reeds and ducks floating nearby.
About half-way down the row of Windmills, I looked up, surprised to see a young girl perched on small shelf peaking over the big steel wheel that turned the windmill into the wind. She seemed to find it interesting to watch all the tourists come and go wondering why they were so captivated by what she simply considered to be home.
As we approached, her mother, behind the reeds, was hanging their clothes on a line to dry. This is a much simpler life than most of us live. It is a wonderful place to come of age.
Looking up I see
Girls’ shy eyes peering at us
Wash dries in sunshine
Photos: Dwight L. Roth
Merril’s Monday prompt for d’Verse is Looking Up. Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
Love that final crisp poem at the bottom of the narrative! Delightful writing. 🥰
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Jaya! I am glad you enjoyed it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your story and photos, Dwight! I’ve never thought of anyone living in a windmill. I wonder what that would be like?
I think the Netherlands would be such a fascinating place to visit!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is very interesting. The quarters are very cramped as you might imagine. It was a beautiful place.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m sure it was. Thank you for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Also, I guess chasing windmills is better than tilting at them. 😏
LikeLiked by 2 people
:>)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice one yet again, and I must say your photography skills are impressive.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. It does help to have a good SLR camera. I have an older model Nikon D200
LikeLiked by 2 people
oh, nice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful picture and poem.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you very much! Glad you enjoy them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your poem goes perfectly with the prose and the photos. The girl was having an idyllic summer, I’d say.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was so beautiful to see her sitting up there watching the world float by, dreaming of what is to come in her life. Thank you so much, Liz for your kind comments.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome, Dwight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had no idea people lived in windmills!! I’m a little envious of their simple life, enjoyed the reflective verses!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Tricia. Yes, most of them have people living in them. The have to manually rotate the blades to make them catch the wind or be still. It was most interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, intriguing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Deeeelightful! We’ve been there for the tulip festival. You brought us back!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That must have been a gorgeous sight to see! It was so much fun to see! Thank you Jan.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dwight this almost reads like a fairy tale. Wonderful photos and skillfully written haibun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much my friend! I am so glad you enjoyed it. It was a fabulous place to visit. A whole ‘nother world!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome. Such a calming place you took us to.
LikeLike
Beautiful writing. I never knew people lived in windmills, but from what you’ve described, it seems like a peaceful, serene life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is very unique indeed! A totally different life for sure. Thank you so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a sweet story! I think home is just home no matter where one lives.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is right! Mansion or Windmill home is home and will always be remembered as such! Thank you Mary.
LikeLike
I enjoyed the story as I have not seen the windmill in my life. Thanks for the photos too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Grace. They are fantastic to see. So interesting.
LikeLike
Dwight, this was a fantastic read my friend — AND YOUR PHOTOS, WOW! You took me right there. I am jealous sir. Great write!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much my friend! It was a trip of our lifetime. It is even more beautiful in real time. I am so glad you enjoyed it!
LikeLike
I’ve almost been enchanted by windmills. They do seem to be special places, especially to live in one. Thank you for the lovely haibun Dwight ☺️💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome, Christine. I am glad you liked it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thoroughly enjoyable and interesting Dwight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Carol. I am glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
Wonderful place and way of life. Nice poem, Dwight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is. So interesting to see. Thank you, Miriam.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Dwight.
LikeLike
Beautiful haibun. A lovely dose of awe.
Thanks for dropping by to read mine.
Much💚love
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Gillena.
LikeLike
It does look peaceful, but industrious and very well-kept. Just out of curiosity, where do you hang clothes out to dry? I thought everybody hung them in the garden if they had one.
LikeLike
An interesting question. I live in a development of six hundred houses!! Our HOA bylaws say we are not alowed to hang clothes out on a line to dry! We sometimes stretch a line in the garage and hang my heavy wet jeans. When I was young we strung a line across the back yard and my mom hung her clothes on it with a big long clothes prop in the middle. Monday was wash day. Ringer washer and washtub rinse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t imagine clothes lines being banned here, though in Paris you’re not allowed to hang clothes out of the window to dry. Tourists think it looks squalid.
It seems so footling, worrying about being able to see washing, like pretending nobody ever uses the toilet. Seems to me it would be more appropriate to have bylaws about how much green lawn/desert you’re allowed in relation to planted areas, how often you can shave it, to regulate the use of pesticides, to leave some areas wild etc etc.
Our notions about what is nice, proper, tidy are outdated and unsustainable now. But, nobody likes their cage rattling, do they?
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right we do have our priorities screwed up it seems. Than you for you interesting response. I found your use of the word footling most interesting! :>)
LikeLike
I don’t know any other meaning. Maybe it’s one of those words that undergoes a slight transformation as it crosses the Atlantic 🙂
LikeLike
The meaning is clear, I had not ever heard it used before! It works very well!
LikeLike
It’s a silly-sounding word, as it should be 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so lovely. Thanks for sharing this, Dwight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much Jay!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s undeniable when watching simple living how impoverished those with too much ‘plenty’ really are!
Heartwarming.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I agree! Thank you so much for your comment.
LikeLike
😊❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
A magical scene and a magical poem, Dwight! Simplicity in life rules!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, there is nothing like the simple life! Thank you Eugi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most welcome, Dwight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely view this is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is wonderful! Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re most welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never seen a windmill, Dwight. What beautiful captures, and a perfect haiku, to describe such a beautiful lifestyle! Wow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! They are an awesome site to see. Very huge and majestic. An amazing fete of engineering!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure! How amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
💘🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Welcome 😄
LikeLike