Vincent and Theo

Starry Night

bequiles now

while all the while

you struggled with

what seemed to Gauguin

to be

an insanity plea

the bipolar mind

split in two

ripped off your ear

sent it to her

the lovely dear

prostitute.

 

Although you ate

your own oil paint

whet your palette

your blade

with your tongue

so perhaps

this is where

your disability was begun.

 

Afflicted in the mind

within the Red Studio

set askew-

Finally, shot in the stomach

your own attack

in the fields

where the flock of crows danced

who knows

why you chose

to die slowly

for three days

with Brother Theo

there beside

your final resting place

instead of you

we have your canvases

and a sibling

who gave his life

for you as well.

 

 

Reviews

[Sairek Ceareste]

This poem is kind of Ironic for me. For I go by the alias "Vincent", and my best friend goes by the alias of "Theo" as well. Of course, I still like it, and think you did a job well done on this, despite the fact I am not much of a poem person it still managed to catch my interest (By more then just the title).

[J. Marc]

I like this poem a lot. More than the choice of words or the rhythm, it is your sensitivity which makes this poem compelling. Why take time to write about the Van Gogh brothers? If not by emotional interest to their common story? At least, that's what I guessed. I loved the compassion you had for this genius who was not understood (rare are the geniuses who are understood in their lifetime).

Indeed, Vincent lived in an era where psychology and psychiatry were not yet developed. People with depression were still tied in chains for the origin of their behaviours was deemed unnatural. You instilled this ambiance of suspicion and incomprehension very well. Vincent would have been a normal patient to a "shrink" of our modern times, alas absinth and lack of proper care also got in the way.

By writing this review, I realized how much I also had interest in Vincent, to a very lesser extent to Theo. The least I can say is thank you for this piece of dedication to our commonly admired artist.

[R J Askew]

What a life! The title pulled me into the poem, which made me wonder if the choice was between an obscure life and a quiet death aged 90, or being Vincent which would it be?

[E. M. Murren]

This is really beautiful. It flows gracefully, yet mournfully. Wonderful.

[Mark Pearce]

Wow.

I like for poets to use their art to inform as well as to emote. This one does that very well.

I know that you're using de minimus punctuation, but it messed me up while reading --

...with Brother Theo
there beside
your final resting place
instead of you
we have your canvases..."

I had to wrestle with whether the peiod should go after "place" or "you." It was an easy decision after a re-read or two, but it interruted my flow.