Willem de Mérode (1887–1939)

Willem de Mérode (1887-1939) was de poets name of Willem Eduard Keuning, based on the name of the famous ballet dancer Cléo de Mérode from Belgium. He has been recognised as the most important christian poet in the period between both world wars by relevant Dutch critics. Het wrote over 2.300 poems. During is his life around 1.100 were published in 24 books. 

In his poems De Mérode shows a tight connection between earthly and heavenly love. He was the poet of the Christian belief, of a life connected to God. He experienced the tragedy of an impossible love. He wrote in anxiety of his love for young men in combination of the mystic sensation of the Christian love. Although he was convicted to a short prison sentence, he always stuck to it that his feelings were platonic, free of desires other than deep friendships