Water Lock
In Dutch we call them sluizen—locks. They are the wisdom of the old Low Lands: guiding water smoothly from low to high, and protecting against floods.
Last Saturday I sat beside a great lock, watching ships pass through the river.
Each time the lock rose and fell, the surface of the water changed. Whether you are a mighty freight ship or a small yacht, you need this lock to tame the water’s power and make the upward journey possible. I listened to the roaring water, releasing its strength between levels. It was a storyteller, speaking in assertive tones: Dutch can master the water.
Further along the riverbank, the scene shifted. A group of horses rested quietly beneath the trees. Suddenly, the contrast appeared—between the river’s fierce power and this mindful tranquility. Then I noticed a flower, its purple-blue glow captured by my camera, striking directly into my heart.
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