On a gray, rainy day...

«Starry Night» (oil on canvas), Vincent van Gogh

Starry, starry night,
paint your palette blue and grey,
look out on a summer's day,
with eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
sketch the trees and the daffodils,
catch the breeze and the winter chills
in colors on the snowy linen land.

Now I understand
what you tried to say to me,
and how you suffered for your sanity,
and how you tried to set them free.
They would not listen,
they did not know how,
perhaps they'll listen now.

Starry, starry night,
flaming flowers that brightly blaze,
swirling clouds in violet haze
reflect in Vincent's eyes of China blue.
Colors changing hue,
morning fields of amber grain,
weathered faces lined in pain
are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.

Now I understand
what you tried to say to me,
and how you suffered for your sanity,
and how you tried to set them free.
They would not listen,
they did not know how,
perhaps they'll listen now.

For they could not love you,
but still your love was true,
and when no hope was left in sight
on that starry, starry night,
you took your life
as lovers often do.
But I could have told you,
Vincent,
this world was never meant
for one as beautiful as you.

Starry, starry night,
portraits hung in empty halls,
frameless heads on nameless walls,
with eyes that watch the world and can't forget.
Like the strangers that you've met,
the ragged men in ragged clothes,
the silver thorn of bloody rose,
lie crushed and broken
on the virgin snow.

Now I think I know
what you tried to say to me,
and how you suffered for your sanity,
and how you tried to set them free.
They would not listen,
they're not listening still,
perhaps they never will…

«Vincent», Don McLean

… This is perhaps the most elaborate, the most beautiful, the most touching, and the most unforgettable poem I've ever learned by heart in Shakespeare's language.
I'm sure you'll forgive my confessed ignorance.
Hundreds or even thousands of poems may definitely be better, but this one…
… It's hard to see through the falling rain and the tears that go on falling.