I'm shedding tears of joy in loving admiration for my old familiar friend, Vincent van Gogh.

Dear Vincent I'm so sorry we were dull, uncomprehending, we didn't see the glory your blessed eyes could see.

For ours were dimmed, in darkness, with worldliness and striving, we didn't share your courage to stop and simply "Be" . . .

. . . Today when I was walking, I paused before a tree and stood in awe and wondered, what would dear Vincent see.

Then my imagination transformed what seemed to be into a fiery vision, and at last I saw just "Tree" . . .

. . . Your bright and shining spirit had risen like the sun, then in a moment's madness was extinguished with a gun.

But soon the Lord will bless you, embrace you as His son, and say "Vincent, We love you -- Come, there's painting to be done!"