too high
the stars seem to realise
they tumble
along the cobbles
the night air full of fresh chills
a gift unwraps
night breezes
in the sigh of the river
between blue shadows
strangers are busy
at the edge of the vast night
with small talk
long ago secrets
the deep scent of the river
strangers walk on
night-time mosaics
a yellow daub of streetlights
over blue ripples
boats rock to and fro
and slap the waves in their moorings
as knots creak… creak…
###
This poem was written in response to Carpe Diem #663, Starry Night (Van Gogh), another great prompt hosted by Chèvrefeuille at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai. All of the poems in the link-up can be read here. These haiku relate to the painting that leads this post, “Starry Night over the Rhone”, which was taken from Wikimedia. Sometimes you just have to go with what’s staring you in the face and so, to finish, here’s Don McLean –
Sweet FA by Blake 
Ah — wonderful reflections! — it touches upon so many senses, with the creaking knots and the scent of the river – the chilly air and paint texture — a feast.
The first haiku in the series, though, really takes my breath away. A metaphor for Vincent’s life, it seems.
And that song is one of my favorites ever 🙂 — even though it breaks my heart a little every time —-
A wonderful post!!!
Thanks, Jen! Phew I’d have felt a bit bad if you hadn’t liked my little Vincentorama 😉
The first haiku I could only get round to after I’d got all the rest out of my system (so much atmosphere in that picture, it sets the senses jangling). Yes, it does read quite metaphorically, doesn’t it, but then his whole painting style seems like a similar metaphor..
And what a great performance of the song here! Sad, but… gorgeous, too. This was a UK no.1 record – incredible! 🙂
Oh, I *knew* it would *have* to be brilliant, Blake!
And … this makes sense … the first haiku really *does* feel like a summing-up of sorts. Giving you the whole picture, then coaxing you closer to the painting/ haiku to give you all the little brush strokes that make up that vision. 🙂
Looked on Wikipedia and it says the song only made #2 here in the States — and there, on the “Easy Listening” charts. o.O
Hmm, as you commented, it’s fairly uneasy listening, really – the chords have a nagging sombre quality before you even get to the words.
Exactly, trying to step back and sum-up the effect of the painting before diving back in… Thanks, Jen 🙂
a poetry challenge is a way to express in certain format,
glad to see your stunning poem
Hi Chelsea, I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. The painting suggests so much that it was fun to write about 🙂