The Sunflowers.... Poem by Sylvia Frances Chan

From the sequel: the famous names in history,
part One: The Sunflowers
VINCENT van GOGH

Not a Poem, but a Story Poem

The sunflowers

sold to
a Japanese collector
for a million USD,
now it's worth a billion,
perhaps...

The Japanese
collector wants to remain anonymous

Vincent,
long time ago
away from home,
as poor as a church rat

he paints but nobody
buys his paintings

through the void and disappointments,
he starts with alcohol
drink,

or cheap red wine
soonest to be absinthe,
that is the cheapest of alcoholic drinks

it causes brain softening
and epileptic seizures
(a form of madness)

his only contact with the outside world
is brother Theo in the Netherlands

they never see each other
they correspond only if Vincent needs money,

in his time there is no allowance
that's why he's designated on his only brother

Theo agrees with Vincent,
if he wants to stay there (in France) for a while
to paint.

his uncle's studio in The Hague is too dark,
it just depresses him
his job as a painter was quickly switched,

he goes to the coal mine area in the Borinage (Belgium) to preach there,

preaching is not easy for him,
he would rather draw and paint them,
the simple farmers and miners
in their basic poverty in the Borinage (Belgium) .

This story about the Dutch
post-impressionist painter, Vincent van Gogh
who is an autodidact,
that during his life
has only sold one painting
for barely 60 francs,

after his early death (37 years)
60 paintings he left
Included the sunflowers

Notes:
Vincent van Gogh born at Zundert 30 maart 1853
(in Noord-Brabant, the Netherlands)
Died in Auvers-sur-Oise 29 juli 1890 (Franc