The silly goose lands

a poem on anticipation six weeks into a Dutch dream (letter 314)

Hello fellow learn-it-all 👋. Greetings from Amsterdam, Netherlands. This week’s letter will be a reflection I first read at an Amsterdive open mic last week. My first open mic night here. Now, let’s dive into letter 314 from a learn-it-all. Enjoy!

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📜🖋 Poetry Corner

The silly goose lands

some of the birds I enjoy watching on the Singelgracht, captured April 1, 2026

Much anticipation 
for this relocation. 

Like a silly goose 
she flew and flapped, 
without her flock, 
Out of energy, 
following an instinct, 
a mere idea, 
hoping it be a sort of 
Panacea —
a cure-all,
with much anticipation. 

Maybe too much anticipation?
Her past self 
set expectation to 
be stuck in a state of elation. 

She romanticized it 
with rose-colored glasses. 
A house on a canal
Near a cafe
And seamlessness
to make gal pals.

Much anticipation 
for this Dutch dream, 
a decade in the making. 
Maybe the elusive bar 
went up too far?

Now,
she's faced with logic, 
a dream rubbed against reality, 
Cycling in soaking wet socks.

Her migration,
Six weeks in. 
In the land of her ancestors. 
Though her friends 
still feel thin 
and Days are dim, 
But even being here 
is still a win. 

When will I ever feel 
like I can surrender 
And loosen my grip?

Sometimes,
I want to gulp a chill pill,
Or not pay the bill.
I want to let loose
And get my fill 
of smelly cheese & frikandel

And yet I am like steam.
 
Floating up above 
a gezellig bubble bath 
in a state of in-between — 
between my arrival, 
and settling into a life, 
Into a rhythm, 
Into a place with any familiar face.

So what does that mean? 
What is stirring?

I say yes 
More than no.

I reach out
even with 
much doubt. 

I smile, 
And 
Do not pout. 

And I think about how 
Omi would be proud,
and she would be so loud 
Clapping and cheering 
And admiring my courage
For the life I lead.
Inspired by her. 

And so, 
I waddle on, 
And
I build my life 
With warmth
With an open heart
an open mind
an open spirit
with a tinge less anticipation 

For now,
I smile 
And hope
to stay awhile.

📸Photos of the Week

🙏shoutouts

• to Ana V. Martins prompt of ancticipation at the Amsterdive for inspiring this poem that I wrote a first draft of on a train from Leiden last week

• For my new friends I made last night that I read this poem to thet laughed and were delighted by my words and gave me an oomph of courage to share these words here :)

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I am grateful you chose to fill part of your day here.

If something in this letter resonated, press the ❤️ , leave a comment, reply to this email, or reach me at vermetJL@gmail.com. I love hearing from you.

Keep on learning 😁

Tot snel 🌺 🌺

Toodles :)

Jen

P.S. #1 - I wrote a book. Letters to My Life is my favorite way to share my writing with you (and it keeps your screen-time stats down). Grab your copy here.

P.S. #2 - Here’s what you missed. Last week I wrote about:

My First Month Back