Jan Kal

Along with others, such as Gerrit Komrij, Jan Kuijper [nl], and Jean Pierre Rawie [nl], he helped revive the sonnet in Dutch poetry,[1] and substantially all of Kal's work is in sonnet form.

[1] His earliest published work is dated 1966,[2]: 45  and his first volume of sonnets, Fietsen op de Mont Ventoux ("Cycling up Mont Ventoux") was published in 1974.

[1] His range of styles and subjects is wide, including love poetry, religious poems, and occasional poetry (notably celebrating sportsmen Ard Schenk,[2]: 293  Joop Zoetemelk,[2]: 492–494  and Johan Cruijff).

[1] To English-speaking readers who understand a little Dutch, perhaps his most accessible poems are his many sonnet versions of American popular songs, including those of Buddy Holly,[2]: 451–453  Bob Dylan,[2]: 471–479  and his favourite, Frank Sinatra.

[2]: 657–806  [3] In 2007, Kal appeared at the Crossing Border festival of literature and music in The Hague.