.p.rae.lu.dium.

13 weeks of english classes came to an end today. i was not the stereotype of student who listens attentively in class, neither would i be the one who slacks all the way througout. it was only till today that i find english lessons meaningful. after several weeks of repetitive summary writing, today's task was on listening and using emotive languages, which i find the most interesting. topic was on don mclean's- Vincent

we've heard this song so many times, be it on the radio, or some singing competitions, and it was even featured in the sizzling hot 2008 hong kong drama series- The Heart of Greed. yes, to me it was just a song. a song where people of my dad's age will appreciate, a song whereby after being listened now will be forgotten the next minute.

the perception totally evolved after listening to my english teacher's story of the prevailing character, which is non other than the famous post impressionist painter and one of the most famous artists of all time, Vincent van Gogh. Vincent was said to be a highly emotional and lacked self-confidence individual. his life was of an unhappy one, for no one actually understood him. Van Gogh died at his own hands in France at the age of 37. he shot himself. although he sold only one painting during his life, van Gogh is now considered one of the greatest Dutch painters since Rembrandt. his fame was probably enhanced by his well-documented mental difficulties- he was diagnosed with schizophrenia (multiple characteristics).


van Gogh's most famous painting- Starry Night


the slideshow of his artworks played alongside with the song, Vincent, made me ponder that there's a hidden tender soul in him. his paintings were mainly of the surroundings and people he sees, the paddy field, the sky at night, the house he lived in. it was all so simple, yet soothing to sight with a little melancholic feel at the same time. perhaps all he'd ever wanted was merely some love and understanding while he was alive.

isn't it time for us to reflect on ourselves whether or not have we missed out anything important in life other than the usual working and studying routine.

when was the last time you raised your head and truly appreciate the starry night?

Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray
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
How you suffered for your sanity
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
Reflecting Vincent's eyes of China blue
Colors changing hueMorning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hands

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 asbeautiful 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
A silver thorn on a bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow

Now I think I know
What you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen they're not listening still
Perhaps they never will