September 2009

This is one of my poems from the Poem a Day Challenge 2009, the writing prompt was “landmark”:

Siebengebirge

The last hills along the Rhine
before the land flattens down
one were the hero fought the dragon
one were the government quarter their guests
on the highest one you find the best onion tart
and the small one in the north
looks like a bread cut open

Many narrow paths
lead through the forest
hornet and bee
boar and deer
just behind my house
just up the street

The last hills along the Rhine
before the land flattens down
many poets have described them
many painters have portrayed them
but to my heart the sight of those hills
mean only one thing

home

© Julia Nickel

View of the Siebengebirge © 2007, Julia Nickel

The naming sounds as if there were seven hills, but actually it comes from “siefen”, which means raining a lot - and I can tell you, yes, it does!