U

Nu!

With this short piece, the dutch poet Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679) became the winner of a poetry contest in 1620. The poem is supposedly listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the shortest dutch poem (or perhaps in any language.)

 

Translated in English:

You

Now!

There is another famous two-word poem by the same author. Van den Vondel and contemporary poet Jacob Cats were challenging each other with poems. At one point, Cats grabs a candle from the table, and spills the molten wax on Vondel's clothes exclaiming "Vet smet" (wax stains). Vondel responses by dealing out a firm punch and the words "Ik tik" (I strike). A true poetry slam avant la lettre.