Vincent Van Gogh 79 - Christine's Delivery & Upkeep Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon

When the time came for Christine to deliver her child,
Vincent took full responsibility, as if he was the child's father.
He took her to Leyden, to a good doctor and paid
For her entire medical expenses and operation.
He spent the thirty francs that he received from Uncle Cor,
For the twelve water colour paintings he did for him.
Besides, he used up all the money sent by brother Theo
And the money borrowed from Mijnheer Tersteeg as well.

Christine's operation was successful
Though she suffered a lot of pain.
He brought her home with the baby
And looked after her most devotedly.
But then, money was always a primary hurdle
In Vincent's life. There was no more money in his pocket.
History was repeating itself, the same old story!
Starved and feverish, he went to meet artist Weissenbruch.

Weissenbruch was a rich man but with no sympathy for Vincent.
When Vincent begged for twenty five francs, he insulted him.
And drove him out of the house without a dime.
Meanwhile, Cousin Mauve declared Vincent
As a ‘vicious character'. He refused to meet Vincent.
De Bock became Vincent's bitterest enemy too.
On a visit to Vincent's studio, he was disgusted to see
Christine seated so comfortably in Vincent's studio.

De Bock screamed in anger: "How the devil
Can you bring yourself to sleep with a hag like her.
If you want a mistress, why not pick a better model? "
Vincent replied: "She is not my mistress, she is my wife."
"Your wife? " De Bock asked him in a shocked voice.
"Yes, I intend to marry her" replied Vincent.
De Bock looked at Christine with repulsion and then,
Left the place in great anger without another word.

A Biographical Poem