Polder — Summary

Dave BontaCheerful

Waters deaf as the land are given to wool— overtaken by the Dutch and built upon. The greatest shower of rain made a new hat.

Show the whole poemHide the poem

Learn Poems app

Try the Learn Poems app

Everything from the website trainer, and more: new exercises, voice recording and sharing, reminders, quick review.

Polder is a word for land reclaimed from water, and the title sets the scene: a flat, low country where the sea has been pushed back and the ground built up. The poem's few lines turn that idea into a string of odd, soft images. The waters are "deaf as the land," as if both were muffled, unable to hear anything. Then they are "given to wool," which suggests a thick, quiet blanket of fog, cloud or sheep-like softness settling over everything.

The mention of the Dutch fits the title: the place is "overtaken" and "built upon," reshaped by people. The last two lines shift to something playful. A huge rain shower "made a new hat," which could mean the rain made a hat-like cap of cloud or simply that weather keeps remaking the landscape.

The speaker doesn't state a feeling outright. Judging by the imagery, the tone is quiet, dreamy and a little amused. The mood is hushed and gently surreal.

Read also

More by Dave Bonta

All poems
ContemplativeDave Bonta

Plea bargain

I hear half a beat of drum to serve time have half a hope in the meantime praise God
DreamyDave Bonta

Cibola 3

I awake in the dark and shake free of sheets & blankets, of down-filled quilt. The rituals of waking– the long, hot shower, the coffee–give
ContemplativeDave Bonta

In good light

On a maple’s pale bark, a zigzag ladder—old tooth-marks from a wandering snail? Green islands of moss