! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Sitting By Bonfire! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Sitting by bonfire… Sitting on a December night by the bonfire Glanced up and saw stars sparkle like sapphires. Sparks were rising up like glow worms; why At that moment flashed across my mind’s eye Vincent Van Gogh’s famous painting ‘Starry Night’. How restless he felt about getting it somehow right. Silently contemplating nature with a painter’s eye, He felt compelled and determined to give it a try. The thought for long haunted and preoccupied his mind. To the mystery and essence of night, in spirit aligned. Finally he decided to paint it on the spot by the river at night. Excited to paint under the moon, stars, a little artificial light. Lo, what you see is a painting of night not dark or black. Done with beautiful blue, violet, and green to illuminate. He singled out colours that would express what he felt. Blend of serenity and dizziness and what to him it meant. Thus he was able to attain the mystic dream of youth. Through painting to assuage his thirst for the truth. It became an act of faith, in a state of meditation. I reflected, is art an effective path for salvation… What leads to this slow and sure transformation of man, Into an artist, musician and a poet- is it Creator’s plan... Does the intensity, seclusion lead some to brink of insanity. As I had in my teens read his tragic and sad biography. Do we live in chains and prisons of our own making? Does it have to do with events beyond control; destiny? Aware of his fractured psyche, calmly told his brother Theo; One lesson I have learnt is not ever to complain for sure. My eyes drifted to dying ambers, just when my son asked me; Would you like me to add more logs; came out of my reverie. We walked on the gravel path towards the lodge in silence. He said Mom; should spend more time in Sunshine, with nonchalance...