domingo, 22 de outubro de 2006

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.

10 comentários:

Jack disse...

Who cares if there are hundreds?

The important thing is that YOU love it.

It's beautiful.

Thanks for sharing it.
We didn't really cover much here in school.

I love it and I'm glad you showed it to me.

Thank you Ric!?

T-Bird disse...

I have loved this painting since i was 12 or 13 years old.

RIC disse...

I'm so happy you liked it, Joel! Yes, I do love it ever since I was about 17-18. But I only understood it properly so much later, perhaps after I left the University...
Try and listen to the song by Don McLean - it's just superb!
You are most welcome, Joel, especially today! :-)

RIC disse...

I'm not so sure anymore, Will, but I believe I saw it «live» in Amsterdam some years ago. Or it may also have been in southern Holland, in a beautiful museum surrounded by a magnificent park... Just idyllic...
And the song...

Gray disse...

I have loved that song from the first day that I heard it, Ric. I sang along as I read the lyrics!

Thank you for the post!

Gumby disse...

and van Gogh is one of my favorite painters. And that painting is one of my favorites too.

RIC disse...

I actually have to feel great because a gray, rainy day turned out to be somehow inspirational!
I believe I woke up this morning with that song in my head... So I went for the CD, and just couldn't help posting about it. And van Gogh too... As a kind of humble homage.
Thanks a lot, Gray!

RIC disse...

He's one of mine too, Gumby! A few years ago I spent almost a whole day at his museum in Amsterdam: what a day!
I'm so glad you liked it!
Thanks a lot!

Anónimo disse...

your cat jumped out of the basket and began running all over the blog

RIC disse...

... Indeed, Will! Kristeva doesn't like to be provoked. Why did you click on her?
Isn't it funny? I also play with her...
Thanks for the warning, pal!