Van Gogh In the Photograph, Outside The Frame

[for Amanda Sullivan]

he will draw in charcoal on the evening:
stairs, and carry an easel with him anywhere
to capture clouds, the stars,

to trace the air
the twilight something as it alters
what he can hardly bear

except he tries not to think about it.
this is the portrait I would make;
the picture I would take of him

if only he could hold still.
but he, like music. is distilled
beyond our reach

and wouldn't show up in the picture
easily or if he did, like a sunflower, prayer,
it would be uncomfortable

for the rest of them
with that marble blue stare.

mary angela douglas 7 january 2016