Vincent Van Gogh 62 - Vincent Meets Cousin Kay Again Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

Back home in Etten, after his trip to The Hague
To meet a successful artist like his Cousin Anton Mauve,
And an established art promoter like Mijneer Tersteeg,
Vincent was pleasantly surprised to see his cousin Kay
In the house, with his parents, for a vacation along with her son.
Kay's mother Wilhelmina was the sister of Anna Cornelia.
So, it was no surprise that Kay had come to stay with her aunt,
Though it was Kay's first ever visit to her aunt's house in Etten.

A year back, Kay had lost her husband Mijnheer Vos.
Whom she loved so deeply and devotedly.
With the death of her husband, something deep
And vital had snapped within Kay. She was grief stricken.
Her jest for life was replaced by a forlorn, melancholic look.
Her enthusiasm for life seemed to have mellowed down.
In the eyes of Vincent, she looked even more beautiful
In her state of mourning. She seemed more spiritual now!

Vincent had met Kay in Amsterdam for the first time
While he was on his study trip to become a clergyman.
He was strangely attracted to his cousin Kay;
Even though he knew she was happily married
And doted on her husband and their little son Jan.
For now, Vincent was all excited to see Kay again.
He spoke kindly to Kay and was tactful enough
Not to probe into her loss, which Kay appreciated.

The very next day after the arrival of Kay & Jan,
Vincent invited them to go along with him to Liesbosch,
To spend a day with him in the fields- sketching.
His Mother Anna approved of this outing,
And quickly packed a lunch box for the three of them.
They walked through the pine woods and the heath,
Then, would settle down in a place to make a sketch.
Vincent felt happy to have Kay near him while he worked.

After an hour's walk when they reached Liesbosch,
Vincent once again set up his easel near a swamp.
Jan was excited playing in the sand, while Kay,
Sat on a stool and picked up her book to read.
Vincent painted rapidly, made many sketches,
For some reason he was elated, though he wondered
If it was the presence of Kay near him, while he painted.

The trio walked further to an oak grove to have lunch.
Kay spread the lunch of delicious cheese and bread
Packed by her aunt, under a tree. It was a beautiful afternoon,
With the fragrance of water lilies and the oak trees!
Kay and Jan sat on one side while Vincent sat opposite them.
While they ate their lunch leisurely amidst nature's splendour.
Vincent wished he had a loving family like this to share his life,
To be able to paint, to be loved and to be appreciated!

A Biographical Poem