Cafe Terrace in Arles, France

Café Terrace in Arles, France Beneath stars of heavenly grandeur, In a café, romance prospects dwell brighter. Patrons’ entertaining escapades of camaraderie Charismatically whisper away the evening. Visible under the illuminating gas lantern Of sulphurous yellow, revealing customers Who say, “S'il vous plaît” to the French waiter As passersby stare at empty tables. At the street’s end is seen a church spiral rise, And in-between the buildings’ windows of light, Over the cobblestones, the calèche chatters As people yield to the horse-drawn carriage. Une nuit d'été de bonjours et d'au revoirs (A summer night of hellos and goodbyes) On Place du Forum in Arles, France. *** Note: “Café Terrace in Arles, France” is an ekphrastic poem describing the painting “Café Terrace at Night” (1888) by Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890).