Vincent Van Gogh 26 - A Quick Decision! Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Vincent had to take a quick decision!
He should either run away from the Borinage,
Or stay in Borinage and live like the miners,
To serve the miners, not just by preaching alone,
But by becoming a miner himself.
That was the proper way to serve God!
How could he live in luxury in Madam Denis's house,
When the poor miners were suffering without enough food?

Vincent packed up his clothes, shoes, books,
And prints, put them all together in a carry bag, then,
He ran out in a hurry to look for a place near the miners.
He found a place just for five francs a month.
It was the most wretched shack in the whole of Borinage.
He took it, in spite of Madame Denis's plea, not to make
A hasty decision. She asserted that he was not cut out for it.
But Vincent was firm. He moved into this pathetic shack.

Vincent was now, satisfied with his decision,
Though his little hut was full of cracks and knotholes.
But he had the satisfaction that he was now living,
A life identical to the miners. He was one of them!
He managed his life, more so, the lives of the miners,
With his salary, mostly spent for their welfare.
His heart flowed with concern and compassion,
He had no right to live well, if the miners could not!

February month was a terrible month,
When icy wind blew and swept the valley.
It was impossible to walk on the streets.
Vincent stopped teaching the children,
As they looked blue, shrunken with bitter cold.
Instead, he went up the Marcasse mountain
To collect coal, braving the cold wind and chill,
And distribute coal to the miserable miners.

Vincent's face had turned black with coal dust.
Any one visiting Borinage at that point of time,
Would never have recognized Vincent Van Gogh.
He looked like any other miner, dark and worn out,
As they referred to the miners as a - blackjaw!
The blue skin of his hands got torn by the icy rock.
Yet, he was a resolute man, with steel like determination,
Ready to face the odds with courage, drive and commitment.

A Biographical poem