Page 26 - Contrast1981Springv24

FOR ART'S SAKE

Self Portrait 1886/88
Vincent Van Gogh

I sit and stare
While he stares back.
His eyes are motionless.
My pen touches paper.
Blue ink spills out
The red beard,
The long nose.
The flowing strokes end.
My eyes look from bust to forehead
Searching for a smile, a tear,
Or a frown.
Flashes of red and grey
Dance from behind,
Revealing the curves of the face.
My pen takes to its course again,
Only at my direction.
The painter looks
Upon the empty canvas
Where his shadow falls.
With brush poised
The artist begins to sweep
Across the flat surface.
Colors fill space
To create the lobe of a lonely ear,
Where the straight red hair stops.
Light shows the grey left eye.
His long protruding nose
Shadows a cheek.
Hands of the creator capture the image.

Luke Aul/

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