he comes from dutch reformed
family, disappoints (emotionally
distant, bereaved) parents;
as both a preacher and painter,
vincent ministers to peasants,
potato eaters, and sowers;
people of humble cottages.
follow him to france en plein aire;
walk along avenue of poplars,
past red vineyard and white orchard
(smell the blossoming almonds)
into wheatfields with haystacks,
under dark shadows of cypresses,
to the banks (and boats) of the seine.
admire the light of bedroom in
yellow house or the cafe terrace,
cobalt skies of starry nights, and
dying beauty of golden sunflowers:
feel angst of stark self-portraits
(especially with bandaged ear);
hear gunshot…black crows cawing.
______________
At dVerse MTB prompt, Bjorn Rudberg encourages us to make a list and write a poem. I made a list of some of Vincent Van Gogh’s (almost 900!) paintings and wrote a poem about the artist’s life.
a poem in my pocket 
May 18, 2026 @ 01:37:56
A gallery poem perhaps? Nicely written Lynn 👏
May 18, 2026 @ 11:20:24
A gallery poem…i like that, shaun! Thank you 🙂
May 17, 2026 @ 19:50:29
This is like a tour of a life. Well done, Lynn!
May 18, 2026 @ 11:19:17
Thank you for joining the tour, Sara 🙂
May 17, 2026 @ 13:29:03
Such a tragic end for a talented artist… sigh. I love the progression of this poem. It captures so many emotions and hues especially;
“into wheat fields with haystacks, under dark shadows of cypresses, to the banks (and boats) of the seine.” ❤️❤️
May 17, 2026 @ 13:37:23
I appreciate your thoughtful comments, Sanaa ❤
May 17, 2026 @ 06:02:35
So much captured in that list of paintings… a whole life really
May 17, 2026 @ 07:28:44
Yes, how he expressed his journey…
May 15, 2026 @ 21:43:03
Beautiful
May 16, 2026 @ 12:33:21
Thanks, Brenda!
May 15, 2026 @ 16:36:48
Nice list for Van Gogh
Happy you dropped by my blog
much love
May 15, 2026 @ 16:58:40
Thanks, Gillena…my pleasure!
May 15, 2026 @ 16:34:58
Love this tour of his life’s work, Lynn. The last line, stark, devastating.
May 15, 2026 @ 17:00:19
A tragic ending for a master painter! Thanks for your comment, Dora.
May 15, 2026 @ 13:35:59
Beautifully crafted, Lynn. So funny we both had poems that discussed Van Gogh’s work.
May 15, 2026 @ 17:00:56
I haven’t read yours yet, Merril…will check it out 🙂
May 16, 2026 @ 04:45:14
😊
May 15, 2026 @ 13:23:38
A poetic tutorial on the great Van Gogh … Love your list!!
May 15, 2026 @ 17:01:22
Glad you loved it, Helen!