Vincent, what do you see?
What is it that troubles you?
Are you worried?
Are you anxious?
What has you upset?
Can you see what I see?
You are the master
Your brilliant mind must yield
Vincent, we need you here
Can’t you let me in?
Your vision will devour you
Please return again
© 2019 Jason A. Muckley
Vincent Van Gogh, born March 30, 1853 and died July 29, 1890 (from injuries due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chest), was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who is among the most celebrated and influential artists in Western art history.
Poems for Warriors 
I am a big fan of Van Gogh. The most commonly accepted version of his death is that it was from a self-inflected gunshot wound to the side, as you mention. However, I have recently heard another theory that he was accidentally shot by two young boys. This is based on the facts that in the side is a very unusual place for people to shoot themselves, plus on his deathbed, he is reported to have said something to the effect of “Don’t blame the boys” or “Don’t blame them”. Still, shooting oneself in the side is not completely unreasonable. He was mentally unstable and if (this is just speculation on my part) he had a pain in his side from syphilis or cirrhosis (from too much absinthe) or even a kidney/gallstone he might have decided on a drastic measure to end the pain. I assume you have read Leters to Theo, which is collection of letters to his brother. I found it fascinating, the letters show a completely hidden, beautiful side that those who knew him didn’t see. Van Gogh was a tragic loss to the world. One can only speculate what the art world would now be like if he had survived into old age.
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By the way, thanks again for the beautiful comments on my poetry anthology “Nocturne…” I sincerely appreciate your compliments.
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I really enjoyed it… beautifully written poetry.
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Thank you again. 😁👍
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He was an interesting guy. I used to perform music on stage and one of my favorites was Starry Starry Night
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Cool!
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Hmm that’s an interesting theory that I hadn’t heard before… Also, I haven’t read his letters. I need to go look them up. Yeah, it’s a shame he died so young. It’s another reminder how important awareness, diagnosis, treatment, medicine, counseling and support are, especially for those with mental illness.
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