Vincent Van Gogh 47 - Impulsive Decision Again Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

After feverishly painting for over two months,
Without a break in his little hut in miner's village,
Once again, Vincent had a desire to meet
And talk to an established artiste.
He had heard of an artiste named Jules Breton,
Whose work he admired from his youthful years.
Like his sudden trip to Belgium to meet Pietersen,
He took an impulsive decision to go to Courrieres.

Jules Breton lived in Courrieres,
One hundred and seventy kilometers away.
Vincent had hardly any money with him,
Yet, he took a decision to walk again.
He took a train up to a short distance.
Then, as he ran out of cash, he walked
For five days, sleeping on hay stacks,
Begging for food in exchange for his paintings.

Finally, when he reached Jules Breton's house in Courrieres,
He was hungry, haggard and totally exhausted.
He stood and watched Jules Breton's beautiful studio
Lined with red bricks standing majestically among the trees.
He felt intimidated by the whole idea of meeting Jules.
He gave up on his burning desire to meet a great artiste,
Turned back, walked aimlessly around the town for two days.
He felt discouraged, defeated by starvation and chilly wind.

Vincent managed to walk back the whole way to his hut,
Famished, worn out and running high fever.
The miners nursed him and brought some food.
Life had let him down completely!
It was impossible to continue living like this.
He went to bed depressed and dejected.
What was he to do now? He was miserable.
He felt he had reached the end of a dark tunnel.

A Biographical Poem!