Vincent Van Gogh 70 - A Bitter Closure Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Theo, never, ever judged Vincent.
Nor did he ask any awkward questions.
He accepted his brother as he was,
Without attempting to change or oppose him.
Whenever Vincent wrote for financial help,
Theo sent him money, most graciously.
This time, Theo was desperate to make a trip
To Amsterdam to meet Kay once again.
Theo sent him twenty francs for his journey
And wrote: " Good luck, old boy"!

Vincent travelled to Amsterdam
Hoping to see Kay and make her understand that
Everything would work out fine with their love.
His intention was to erase the "No, never, never"
Refusal of Kay to "Yes! Forever, forever! "
When he reached Reverend Stricker's house,
He summoned up all his courage and rang the bell.
A maid appeared, but when she saw it was Vincent,
She blocked the doorway, refusing to let him in.
‘Get out of my way" Vincent protested and pushed his way in.

The maid cried out: "The family is at dinner.
You can't go in." Unmindful of the maid,
Vincent walked boldly into the dining hall.
The whole family was seated except Kay.
She had got up and rushed into her room,
When she heard the sound at the door.
Perhaps, she doubted that it was Vincent.
Reverend Stricker greeted Vincent with displeasure.
Stricker requested his family to leave the dining table.
As he wanted to deal with Vincent on his own.

When Vincent told Stricker that he wanted to meet Kay,
Stricker was furious. He spoke harshly: " Now Vincent,
You are causing a great deal of trouble…………….
You are a tramp, an idler, a boor, and as far as I can see,
An ungrateful, vicious character. How dare you even presume
To love my daughter? It is an insult to me."
Vincent was patient. He repeated: "Let me see Kay again,
Uncle Stricker, I want to talk to her."
" She does not want to talk or lay her eyes on you again! "
Retorted Stricker, livid with anger.

Vincent pleaded again. Stricker looked at him with disbelief.
"Are you such a weakling and a coward that you can't
Stand a little pain? Must you be forever
Whimpering about it? " Shouted Stricker.
After a stony silence for a while, Vincent impulsively
Placed his hand over the burning lamp on the table.
The candle began burning his hand. Vincent stood still.
Without flinching, while his burning eyes pierced through
Stricker's whole being. As seconds ticked away,
Vincent's hands turned red, black and burnt the skin,
Yet, he did not withdraw his hand from the flame.

Stricker was horrified but stood paralyzed.
At last, he leaped forward, snatched the candle,
Then, blew out the fire with a heavy puff.
Stricker screamed: "You crazy man, you insane fool!
You are mad! And Kay despises you with all her heart.
Get out of this house and never dare to come back! "
The final blow had come. It was a bitter closure!
Vincent walked out of the house into the street.
O my God! A burnt hole in his hand- a permanent scar;
And a deep vacuum in his heart! Was there any justice?

A Biographical Poem