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).

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John Watt

December 2, 2021 at 11:50 AM

Dennis, this painting is in my top 5 favorites, and is hanging as a poster on my wall at work (which I rotate regularly with 'Irises' and 'Starry Night'). I love your treatment of it with your careful depiction of the café patrons, pedestrians, buildings, vehicles, and starry sky. I like the line "Over the cobblestones the calèche chatters". I hope you continue to do more painting poetry. You have inspired me to do more of this kind of writing. Thank you! ~ John

Dennis Spilchuk

December 3, 2021 at 8:10 AM

I am very pleased and flattered John, by your graceful comments. Vincent van Gogh truly was and is one of the world's greatest artist.