by William Stafford

It could happen any time, tornado, earthquake, Armageddon. It could happen. Or sunshine, love, salvation.

It could, you know. That’s why we wake and look out -- no guarantees in this life.

Paul Signac, a fellow Post-Impressionist painter, had recently visited Van Gogh at the hospital in Arles while Vincent was recovering from his infamous ear-mutilation breakdown.

Van Gogh wrote: "My word, these anxieties... who can live in modern life without catching his share of them?" He saw modern anxiety as an inescapable weight of his era, rather than a unique personal failing.

To cope with his recurring "inner seizures of despair," Van Gogh noted that the best remedy was "deep friendships". Signac’s visit had deeply moved him and provided a much-needed lifeline of connection.