“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”
–Vincent van Gogh to his brother Theo, 1888
In wavy lines and shimmering spots,
his knotted thoughts, unspooled
the counted crows, a postman, impasto
flowers’ golden glow–
but most of all the stars, not stilled,
the night a colored motion sea–
ripples of what he saw–and dreams of what might be
A quadrille for dVerse, where Mish asked us to use the word “knot.” I read this article today about how after van Gogh’s death, the sale of his paintings—then valuable—paid for his sister Willemien’s care in a mental asylum. I suppose it helped her, but I also felt it was so tragic that she spent decades—almost forty years–there.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I read that article too, Merril, and love the van Gogh quote you’ve paired with your ekphrastic quadrille, which unspools beautifully. I love that you started with the ‘wavy lines and shimmering spots’ and ended with ripples.
Thank you so much, Kim.
I don’t consider this so much an ekphrastic poem as more about van Gogh (because I really want to write about that couple in the foreground). 😀
Oh, this is lovely, Merril. I really enjoyed your use of rhyme and you really catch the movement of paint in van Gogh’s painting. My husband just completed a 1000 piece jigsaw of his Irises – hellish to do, but it did force you to really look at the brush work and see how he layered up paint.
Thank you so much, Sarah. I almost did something on the irises!
We’re going to one of those immersive van Gogh exhibits sometime in the summer.
I love how you started from the quote… I had not heard about his sister, but knowing how mental institutions were back then I wonder if it was really a good thing
Thank you.
Yes, I wondered that, too. But then I thought perhaps the alternate might be something worse.
This is so beautiful. You really catch the painting. I especially fell for “his knotted thoughts, unspooled”. 💖
Will have to read that article to.
Thanks so much, Helene. I think that line came first.
“his knotted thoughts, unspooled” – I love the subtle contradiction here, really caught me off guard!
Thank you so much, Evan. I appreciate that you told me that!
Beautiful rhythm, rhyme and imagery….wow, Merril, I really like this. Its so sad that he was never able to calm the tumultuous seas in his mind and that his sister suffered so deeply as well. Mental health is not addressed properly now. I can’t imagine it back then.
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful comment, Mish. Of course you are so right.
Oh, this is beautiful!
Thank you so much, Na’ama!
🙂 xx
unspooled is such a good word!
Thank you. I agree–it has such a nice sound, and it sounds like it is unspooling. 😀
🙂
Vincent, reading this, would beam. Justly so.
Thank you very much, Ron! 😀
“his knotted thoughts, unspooled” what a great line. Have you seen that movie where they bring his artwork to life? If not, I know you would love it.
Thank you so much, Lisa!
Yes, we actually saw that movie in a theater (remember those?) when it first came out.
You’re welcome and yes, I vaguely remember them. I bet it was memorable seeing it on the big screen.
Yes, it was very beautiful.
What a lovely tribute to VanGogh. Well penned
Thank you, Beverly!
A very emotive write, Merril…beautiful, yet tragic.
Thank you so much, Lynn. I’m so pleased that came through.
such graceful inner rhymes, Merril. and such beautiful flow…
❤
David
Thank you so much, David! 💙
Absolutely beautiful, it’s so easy to fall into these lines and be immersed. I love this piece.
Wow–thank you so much, Lucy!💙💙
so delicately described … forty years is no real life …
your last line resonates deepest!
Thank you so much, Kate. I so appreciate your thoughtful words. You’re right about the 40 years. It’s so sad.
well at least her life makes us far more grateful for ours, and that’s a blessing!
That is true. Thank you.
This is so melodic and lovely! I read it a few times because it sounds so nice. I love “but most of all the stars, not stilled…”
Thank you so much for that lovely comment! 💙
The flow of your words is truly as mesmerizing as the painting. 😍
Wonderful Merril. His art is amazing. Painting can help take the knots out of our minds. It is good he had his painting! Well done.
Thank you so much, Dwight.
Yes, I suspect you are totally right about painting for van Gogh.
I love the last line.
Thank you very much!
Just beautiful Merril – from the Van Gogh quote through to your perfect ending. It is obvious from your poetry that the stars make you dream too!
Thank you so much, Ingrid. What a lovely comment!
It’s funny that I write so much about stars and moon, but I’m such a morning person. 😀
simply beautiful
Thank you very much!
Very beautifully done. “his knotted thoughts, unspooled” is a perfect metaphor
Thank you, Derrick. I’m so pleased you think so.
Utterly beautiful, Merril. The poem and painting are a perfect pairing. Such a sad story of Van Gogh’s sister.
Thank you so much, Dale. It is a sad story. His, too, and his brother Theo died not very long after Vincent.
Very sad all the way ’round.
yes 😔
Sigh…
I’ve just been looking at Van Gogh’s paintings and this one in particular stood out for me. So much sorrow in his family, but what a gift he left for us. (K)
Yes, I agree, Kerfe!
Mental illness seemed a thread haunting the Van Gogh family. Perhaps, it was misunderstood genius?
Perhaps it was. I wondered that, too.
I love the poem. I’ve been a fan of Van Gogh’s paintings from way, way back. I also appreciate the historical context you’ve provided. I didn’t know that Van Gogh had a mentally ill sister.
Thank you very much, Liz. I didn’t know about his sister either before I read the article.
We’re planning to go to one of those immersive van Gogh shows late in the summer.
You’re welcome, Merril. I would love to go to an immersive Van Gogh show! Maybe someday I’ll feel confident enought to venture out to museums again.
I know what you mean. I have not been inside anyplace except for doctors and dentist. I don’t think I will feel comfortable being in a small indoor place like a restaurant for a long time, or sitting masked in a theater. This is not until August, and I’m getting my second vaccine this week, so we’ll see. I don’t know the location yet. I told my husband I might be comfortable going to the Philadelphia Museum of Art after we’re both vaccinated–for a short visit. It’s very large with lots of open space.
Mental health issues ran through that whole family, amazing responses. I particularly enjoyed your take on the prompt, especially the unspooled – unravelling of the mind, for me a felt response.
Thank you so much, Paul. I appreciate your very thoughtful comment. It does seem that they were a very troubled, but also a talented family.
A beautiful quote.
‘the night a colored motion sea’ wonderful weaving. Love it.
Thank you very much!
Welcome 🙂
Loved it ..
Thank you.
A lovely poem and he is one of my favorite artists.
Thank you very much, Linda. I like his work, too.
“…knotted thoughts unspooled…” I love this, Merril. ❤
Thank you so much, Colleen! 💙
Crazy, I was never swung out about this painting to look at it, but then again I find it emotionally inspiring.
You wrote a perfect poem!
40 years in an asylum…back then? TRAGIC!
Thank you so much, Resa. I really like this painting. I agree it is is tragic. Those van Gogh siblings did not have easy lives.
Beautiful! Knotted thoughts, love the way you spun this🙂
Pat
Thank you so much, Pat! 💙
This is beautiful, Merril! Looks like you could peek into his heart while he drew the painting for a moment. Excellent job! 💙
What a lovely comment! Thank you so much!💙
His knotted thoughts must have been many, but fortunately he did find release for some of them.
Yes, it’s good he had his art.