Printable Holland Poem Link

It’s just a different place. It’s slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you’ve been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around… and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills… and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

So you must go out and buy new guidebooks. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met. printable holland poem

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The flight attendant comes in and says, “Welcome to Holland.” It’s just a different place

Nevertheless, for many, the poem offers a crucial first step: permission to grieve the Italy they expected, while opening their eyes to the tulips in front of them. If you are a parent, a grandparent, or a medical professional, keep a few copies folded in your bag or desk drawer. You can easily copy the text below (ensuring you credit Emily Perl Kingsley) and paste it into a word processor. Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley Holland even has Rembrandts

For decades, parents receiving a life-altering diagnosis for their child have been handed a single piece of paper. On it is a short, allegorical poem titled "Welcome to Holland." Despite the rise of digital media, searches for a "printable Holland poem" remain incredibly high—a testament to its enduring role as a tangible source of comfort in moments of crisis. What is the "Welcome to Holland" Poem? Written by Emily Perl Kingsley in 1987, the piece uses a powerful metaphor. Kingsley, whose son has Down syndrome, compares the experience of planning for a child to meticulously planning a trip to Italy —you learn the language, study the maps, and dream of the Colosseum.

“Holland?!?” you say. “What do you mean, Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I’m supposed to be in Italy. All my life I’ve dreamed of going to Italy.”

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away… because the loss of that dream is a very significant loss.