Nearer

When Vincent Van Gogh lost his ear

Where were you?

Were you someplace near?

Nearer to yourself

           than you could nearly be near

Nearer to yourself

           than you ever have been

Nearer to yourself

           than is really safe

Oh Clasina, the room is haunted with ghosts

The easel sits empty

           In the corner, canvas blank

                     and dried out paints

                     and I can't hear a thing

Where were you?

           when Vincent Van Gogh lost his ear