Merril’s prompt is to write a Triversen poem, following the rules provided. The poem should comprise of unrhymed tercets with each stanza making a sentence. Merril suggested the use of a prompt picture for the poem.
You can read Merril’s delightful contribution here: https://merrildsmith.org/2024/08/22/triversen-radiating-light/
You can join in here: https://dversepoets.com/2024/08/22/meeting-the-bar-triversen/

Light and dark
Sun reaches out
bright rays embracing
nocturnal creature
***
Shimmering white halo
warm gesture of appreciation
of fearsome predator
***
A brief encounter
dawn’s light fresh and clear
night animal ready for sleep
***
Favourite tree close
animal stops, stretches
slinks towards the shade
***
The photographer
captures the moment
with one fast click
***
Tender interaction
between night and day
immortalised forever
Thursday Doors
Today, for Thursday Doors, I am sharing some pictures from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
You can join in Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2024/08/22/still-more-from-iowa/






Picture captions: Inside doors at the van Gogh Museum with interactive light show paintings
A few of my favourite van Gogh paintings at the museum:



These are my shorts of the light projections at the van Gogh museum. You will notice how noisy it was in the museum.
Beautiful poetry, Robbie.
Van Gogh has always been my favorite artist. I remember seeing several of his paintings in Paris and one in California (The Irises). I’ve actually written (and published) two poems inspired by his paintings: Irises and =Branches with Almond Blossom (which I see you included a picture of).
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Hi Andrew, I’m glad you like the poem. I like some of Van Gogh’s work and find his early attempts fascinating. It’s interesting to observe his growth as an artist. I did include a picture of Almond Blossom and I have a photograph of Irises too.
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Thank you for writing to the prompt, Robbie! I like the idea of the sun embracing the night creature and you observing it. I like your painting, too.
I’m sure that museum was wonderful to visit–even with the noise. 🙂 We are fortunate to have museums nearby that have some of his paintings in their permanent collections.
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Thank YOU for a fun prompt. I am very interested in light and am always trying to capture it in photographs, paintings and drawings. I didn’t notice the noise much when we were at the museum. It was all so exciting. I noticed it in the videos afterwards. It is nice you can see his work easily.
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You’re so welcome, Robbie. I’m pleased you enjoyed the prompt.
I’ve interested in light (and shadows), too–as you’ve seen. 🙂
It’s good the noise didn’t bother you while you were there.
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I am very good at blocking out noise when I am interested in something. I know it bothers other people though and I did notice it in the videos. Photograph is all about light, isn’t it?
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It is. 🌞
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It has been far too long since I went to a museum.
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I love museums, Jacqui. We visited four museums (three art and one a folk museum) during our five day tour.
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A very well written poem Robbie. Loved the pics and the video
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Thank you, Sadje. It was a wonderful visit. I’m glad you enjoyed this poem.
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You are most welcome 🤗
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You make me want to visit our museum, the Detroit Institute of Arts, Robbie.
Your poetry is beautiful! 🌺🩷
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Hi Kymber, thank you for your appreciation of my poem. I do love museums.
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Love the poem and the drawing.
The photos of the museum are so interesting.
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Hi Esther, have you been to Amsterdam? It is a wonderful place to visit. I’m delighted you enjoyed my poem and painting combo.
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I’ve never been, but my daughter has and loved it.
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Good to know.
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Quite a treat, Robbie, to see your fabulous poem and leopard painting and the museum images and videos.
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Hi Dave, I am delighted you enjoyed this post. That painting was very much about the light. I am currently painting another elephant and its all about the light on the orange grass. You’ll understand when I share it when its completed.
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Wonderful poem. Love the painting. The Van Gogh Museum looks great. My wifevisited it 50 years ago.
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Hi Timothy, the van Gogh and the rijksmuseum were both fantastic. I could have spent much longer in them but … I had hubby waiting – hehe! I’m glad you like my poem and painting duo.
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flows beautifully to “immortalised forever”
lovely images too, Robbie 🤍
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Hi Destiny, I’m really glad you like that line. Thank you for your appreciation.
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pleasure 🤍
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It’s a stunning post, Robbie. And I adore your leopard. Hugs.
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Hi Teagan, I’m delighted you like this painting. I like the sun in this one very much. Have a lovely weekend. Hugs.
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Wonderful Robbie 💜💜
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Thank you, Willow
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a pleasure Robbie 💜💜
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Leopard is one of my favorite animals, Robbie! Your peom beautifully depicts the amazing leopard. I love your photos of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. We had a couple hours of free time when touring Amsterdam. It was raining and we took the bus to the Museum, but we only had time to rush in and out. Those painting are my favorites also.
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Hi Miriam, I spent about 3 1/2 hours at the museum. We had a tour and then I wandered while TC waiting in the coffee shop. I didn’t want to make him wait to long so I didn’t lag as long as I could have. The leopard is TC’s favourite animal too. I have done two pictures for him. One in charcoal and this one. My favourites are the giraffe and the elephant. I have 6 giraffe pictures and 6 elephant pictures to date.
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Beautiful, vivid poem. Your photographs are great – especially the doors to the Van Gogh museum–stunning!
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Hi Donna, I am delighted you enjoyed those pictures. I loved the interactive light display of various paintings. I stood for ages on the staircase videoing all the different permutations of the display. Hubby ran away and sat in the cafe. He doesn’t like being part of my photography exhibitionism – haha! I’ve been known to stop my car and walk down a main road in order to get a perfect shot.
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How wonderful to be able to visit the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Robbie. I just found a book that I am very interested in reading – Vincent and Theo Written by Deborah Heiligman. The book is based on the 658 letters Vincent wrote to Theo during his lifetime. Can you imagine 658 letters!!! And to think that they are still in existence!
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Hi Rebecca, that would be interesting. Theo and his wife were great supporters of Vincent’s work. Theo financed him. I saw some of those letters on display at the museum and also the cabinet that Theo kept them in.
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Nicely done. That is a beautiful capture. Sometimes we only get one click before it all disappears.
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Hi Dwight, you are right. You have to be quick if you want to photograph animals. Thanks for visiting.
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Amazing poem, and lovely photos
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Hi Diana, thank you, I’m pleased you enjoyed this.
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You’re very welcome 🙂
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Amazing poem Robbie.
Loved the pictures too.
Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you, Maggie. I’m delighted you enjoyed this post.
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My pleasure
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Your leopard painting is marvelous, Robbie, and your poem is fantastic. The Van Gogh Museum looks wonderful.
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Hi Timothy, thank you. I’m glad you like that painting. I tried to capture the intention of the painting in the poem. Visiting the Van Gogh Museum was a fantastic opportunity.
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Beautiful poem, Robbie, and your painting looks awesome. Thank you for sharing the pictures and the video tour of the museum.
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Hi Edward, I am delighted you enjoyed this post. The museum was amazing but animals call me louder.
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a noisy place; glad to slip back into the the quietness of your finely contoured verse 🙂
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Hi John, I didn’t notice the noise while I was there. I did notice it in the videos though.
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Such a gentle poem! I was at the Van Gogh museum years ago – no interactive rooms then but it was nice.
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Thank you, Jan. I try to write something uplifting from time to time. Animals and art make me happy.
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It is a beautiful poem and I especially loved the last stanza. The Leopard painting is gorgeous. The Van Gogh museum seems to be a beautiful museum. I hope to visit it one day.
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Hi Thomas, I’m delighted you enjoyed this post. You will like the museums in Amsterdam. I could have spent much longer then but I had handbreak – oops – I mean hubby – haha!
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Ha ha yes you need to compromise
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Indeed
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I love your leopard painting and your triversen poem, Robbie! It would be so cool to visit the Van Gogh museum!
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Hi Priscilla, it was a magnificent experience. That is why when the opportunity presented, I grabbed it. I’m delighted you like my poem and painting combo.
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“The photographer
captures the moment
with one fast click”
Photography is about light and dark, but you also capture a moment, a scene quite vividly with your poem. And your paintings are wonderful.
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Hi D, thank you so much. That is exactly what I was trying to demonstrate with the poem and why I love this painting. Why I painted it in the first place.
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Nice Robbie! …wonderful write my friend. It captures the wild beautifully… 🙂✌🏼
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…and a killer painting! 🫶🏼
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Thank you
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Thank you, Rob. I am going on a photography expedition in the bush next weekend so I’ll have new pictures and poems to share.
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Seeing the van Gogh Museum must have been a lifetime thrill. I am amazed that a museum in America (MoMA) has Starry Night. One day I will see it. The interactive light shows of his work are popular, but i’m not so sure they really show his art. What do you think? Your poetry and art are terrific, Robbie.
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Hi Jennie, there is a story around why some of Vincent’s paintings are in other countries and museums. Perhaps I’ll do a post on it as a few readers seem interested in his life. The light displays are a delight. I think they do show his paintings if you see them live and then watch the displays. I stood on the staircase (like a fanatic TC says) and videoed all of them. He slunk off and hid in the coffee shop. It’s hard having such an embarrassing wife – giggle.
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I would enjoy that post. Boston had a big van Gogh light display that to me was overwhelming, like being in a disco, and took away from the art piece. I think the light display you saw was different. Robbie, I am just like you, the embarrassing wife with Hubby who slinks off. 😀
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Haha, that is funny. I think you are right about the interactive light displays in the tour situations. At the museum is is just beautiful and adds to the atmosphere. I’ll write that post after my trip to the bush next week. I am so excited …
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You are right, Robbie. Your museum light experience was just right, not over the top. Enjoy your trip to the bush! I always look forward to your posts.
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I’m delighted to hear that, Jennie.
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🙂
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I like how your poem includes the interaction between human and animal.
That center Van Gogh flower painting was a favorite of my great aunt’s. She loved the background color. (K)
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Hi Kerfe, I’m glad you liked that aspect of the poem. I was trying to share the reason for the painting. What I tried to achieve in it. Almond Blossoms was Vincent’s final painting. He painted it to celebrate the birth of his nephew.
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I did not know that. Poignant.
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I didn’t see a lot in the museum. One thing I was glad to see was Van Gogh’s early paintings and see how he tried out his styles.
I love your giraffe and elephant paintings also, Robbie. 💕
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Hi Miriam, I thought some of van Gogh’s earlier work was terrible. I could see the difference after he went to art school. It was encouraging to see how his work developed.
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It’s interesting that he kept his “terrible” earlier works, Robbie. Some people may think it’s embarrassing to show, but it helps us understand it’s a process.
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Yes, from that perspective, they are valuable. I could see the difference after he attended art school and you can even see pencil marks on the canvases where he drew in perspective lines.
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I always appreciate the path leading to success, Robbie.😊
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Me too
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Hi Roberta, I hadn’t clocked that you were a painter/illustrator as well as a writer until now and I love the leopard painting as well as the poem about this master of chiaroscuro disguise slipping between day and night…
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Hi Andrew, I am a bit of a jack of artistic trades and I also love photography. I like to paint / draw my own wildlife pictures. I’m delighted you enjoyed this leopard poem. The leopard is my husband’s favourite animal. I like the herbivores, elephants, hippos, giraffes, rhinos, and buffalo.
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The last time we were in Amsterdam, I wanted to go to the Van Gogh museum, but I can’t recall why we didn’t. Using projections is a wonderful addition! I’ve attend 2 different Van Gogh immersions, which were wonderful! Loved the way your used contrasts within your poem. Well done!
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Hi Frank, I am delighted you enjoyed this post. If you ever return to Amsterdam, the van Gogh Museum is worth the money.
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A really neat painting of a leopard, and I enjoyed your poem, too. I like how you wove the play of light and dark / night and day.
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Hi Dave, I am really pleased you picked that up and that you enjoyed this post.
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I love your painting. Maybe someday you’ll have your own museum.
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Maybe, we all live in hope. Hugs.
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An evocative poem, Roberta, with many lovely images. And thanks for sharing some photos and videos of the Van Gogh Museum. It’s a place I fully intend to visit some time! 🙂
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Hi Sunra, I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. Amsterdam has wonderful art museums. It was amazing to visit them.
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You visit some of the most amazing places. I would love to see the Van Gogh Museum, but odds are that I won’t, so I thoroughly enjoyed what you shared. Great poem and painting as well. I agree with Craig!
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Hi Jan, the van Gogh Museum and the rijksmuseum were the reasons I wanted to visit Amsterdam. When I said I’d meet TC in Oslo, he immediately planned to fulfil this dream for me. Such a wonderful man!
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Meet Me In Oslo sounds like a wonderful title for a book!
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Haha, it does.
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You have captured light and dark most beautifully Robbie your art just gets better…love the poem and the doors especially the door to the Van Gogh gift shop a lovely post and by the way my hubbie slinks off for fresh air now he doesn’t smoke it can’t be a ciggie …lol x
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Hi Carol, I’m pleased you enjoyed this poem. I ended up pleased that it represented the spirit of the picture. I guess we all need our space.
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Ahhhh… the van Gogh Museum never gets old!
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No, it doesn’t. Thank you
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A lovely poem with lots of play on light and shadow, Robbie. Artfully done. And thanks for the photos and videos of the Van Gogh museum. The middle photo of your favorite paintings is one I’m unfamiliar with. The style seems unusual for him. Thanks for sharing your visit!
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Hi Diana, Almond Blossom was Vincent’s final painting. I think it’s his best as he was still growing as an artist. He painted it as a gift for his brother when his brother’s son was born.
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💙 Thanks so much for the explanation, Robbie. It stood out as something unique and though I like his work, that one struck me as exceptionally beautiful. And its history is so poignant.
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Yes, he shot himself because of the baby. He felt he was a financial drain on his brother and that because he now had a child, he needed to be out of Theo’s life. Very sad.
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Terribly sad.
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Yes, but he probably had bio polar disorder.
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Hi Robbie, your poetry and leopard painting is so beautiful, and I love the photos of the Van Gogh museum. I really liked the interactive light show paintings, something new that I’ve never seen.
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Hi Lauren, thank you for your lovely comment. I hadn’t seen the light projections before either although I know that there are light show van Gogh tours making the rounds of the USA and Europe. We won’t get it here in southern Africa so I was lucky to see this at the museum.
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A beautiful painting by you (and verse!) and some beautiful Van Goghs, Robbie 🙂
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Hi Barbara, yes, van Gogh’s later works are lovely.
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I’ve seen that door to the museum in other posts – very clever!
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omg you got into Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam! did you have to reserve a month in advance?
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Hi da-AL, if you purchase museum tickets you have to book 6 weeks in advance. This was spontaneous so we purchased tickets for a tour of the museum which was a bit more money but we did get a lovely tour and could stay on in the museum afterwards.
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Beautiful poetry, Robbie. The portrait as well. I visited the Van Gogh museum before the pandemic. A wonderful experience.
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HI Joy, it is a fabulous museum. I liked the rijksmuseum even more. I love Vermeer.
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I love your poem, Robbie. It brings your picture to life. There was a Van Gogh exhibit all in lights that was supposed to come to our town, but they couldn’t find a large enough space. I would love to see his art someday.
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HI Carla, van Gogh’s later art is amazing. Seeing his early attempts is very informative (and encouraging if you are a wannabe artist like me). I can see clearly how the art lessons he had helped him and really changed the dimensions of his work.
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Terrific Triversen, Robbie.
Still, it doesn’t matter how well one has fulfilled these poetry challenges rules, when I read it I know if I like it.
I adore yours!
LOVE the drawing. Big fan of your art here.
Noisy is definitely the word, but what a wonderful experience to be there.
Great post Robbie. Thank you!
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Hi Resa, I am delighted you appreciated this poem that is all about the painting and its inspiration. I got some amazing animal photographs with natural light effects on this recent trip.
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I love how your poem moves into the last stanza, a magical moment. I would love to have seen that van Gogh exhibit (without all the crowds, of course).
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HI Liz, the crowds sort of disappear when you are viewing the paintings. I forget they are there. I never heard the noise until later when I watched the videos.
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I don’t think I’ve had that experience. Crowds always bother me.
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I’ve always been able to shut out noise and people.
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You’re lucky. I get agitated when there’s noise and people around me when I’m trying to work.
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I can work and sleep anywhere, any place and anyhow, and I have proved it – haha!
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My husband was able to do that when he was stationed on ships in the navy. He would have been in big trouble otherwise!
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