Vincent Van Gogh 16 - Mendes Da Costa Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

For a full year, after his arrival in Amsterdam,
Vincent concentrated on his studies of languages and religion,
But as the time approached for him to join the university,
He felt, he was totally unsuitable for a term of formal education.
Did he really want to become like his Uncle Stricker?
A rigid, stuffy, clever clergyman? He wondered!
What would happen to his ideal? His services
To the poor, sick, downtrodden, would just fritter away!

These thoughts constantly revolved in Vincent's mind.
He knew that a quick decision was imminent.
The only person with whom he could openly talk
Was his teacher - Mendes Da Costa.
One afternoon, after his study with Mendes,
Vincent requested him to go for a walk with him.
Mendes had already detected a kind of turbulence
In his pupil and knew he was struggling to find his path.

As they walked by a three century old synagogue
And reached Rembrandt's old home in Zeestraat,
Mendes said: 'Rembrandt died in poverty and disgrace.'
Vincent replied: 'He didn't die unhappy, though.'
'No! ' said Mendes. 'He had expressed himself fully
And he knew the worth of what he had done.
He was the only one in his time who did it..…What the world thought made little difference. Rembrandt had to paint. Nothing else mattered! '

Mendes was a man of wisdom. As a teacher and a mentor
He had to guide Vincent and help him take the right decision.
Mendes spoke with voice of clarity:
' You can only have the courage and strength to do
What you think is right. It may turn out to be wrong,
But you will at least have done it. And that is the important thing.
We must act according to the best dictates of our reason,
And then leave God to judge of its ultimate value.'

'Every person has an integrity, a quality of character, Vincent.
And if he observes it, whatever he does will turn out well in the end.
If you had remained an art dealer, the integrity that makes you
the sort of man you are would have made you a good art dealer.
The same applies to your teaching. Some day you will express
Yourself fully, no matter what medium you may choose.'
Vincent felt gratified after hearing these pearls of wisdom from Mendes.
The next day, Vincent packed his bag left his Uncle's house without any goodbyes.

A Biographical Poem