Vincent Van Gogh 7 - In London Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Vincent had to choose a profession
But there was a problem.
He did not know what to choose.
His father wanted him to join the church.
But he was not ready for church yet.
Anyhow he had to work and earn a living.
He had no money or time to study in King's college,
He decided to work in an art shop.

All his paternal Uncles of the Van Gogh family
Were rich, influential and highly placed.
Recommended by his Uncle - a partner,
In the firm of Goupil & Company.
He got a position in The Hague.
Three years, he worked with this firm in Hague,
Of art dealers and publishers of engravings.
Then, he left the Hague and came to London.

Vincent lived as a tenant to a very amusing family,
In London, who kept a kindergarten for little boys.
He was contented and enjoyed long walks in the city.
He began to learn English, while he worked in Goupil & Co.
On Saturdays, he would go boating along river Thames.
A big start to an aspiring young life! Art, poetry, books!
He had a little garden too, of poppies, sweet peas and mignonette.

Whatever Vincent did during the day, he would pen it down at night.
He wrote long letters to his brother Theo. In one such letter,
Vincent wrote: 'L'Amour has been a revelation to me as well as a Gospel.
‘No woman is old'. That does not mean that there are no old women.
But that a woman is not old as long as she loves and is loved.'…….
' From the money I gave you, you must buy Alphonse Karr's
‘Journey Round My Garden.' Be sure to do that. Autumn is coming fast, and that makes nature more serious and more intimate still.'