Karel Soudijn
In January 2011, Karel Soudijn (1944) was appointed as the Tilburg University Campus Poet. As an assistant professor of Psychology, Soudijn was the first Campus Poet who also worked as an academic researcher.
Before he was instituted as Campus Poet, Soudijn had already published a number of poetry collections (Dreunende kabouters, Het kruidenboek, and Op reis). Two of his poems were even included in Gerrit Komrij’s famous anthology of Dutch poems.
In his younger years, Soudijn was not only a poet, but also a stand-up comedian. As a member of the KUB Cabaret, he performed at many university celebrations with, among others, future Tilburg City Poet Frank van Pamelen. With his beautifully composed poems, which frequently bring a smile to the reader’s face, he sharply commented on many events during his time as Campus Poet.
SCHOONMAAK
heel voorzichtig
met haar ragebol
veegt de huisvrouw
in de oksel
van het plafond
giechelend
lacht het gebouw zich in puin
From: Het Kruidenboek (1970) by Karel Soudijn (1944)