The artist quotes Verlaine who, in his “Colloque sentimental”, recalls his past love.
In the painting, shapes are cold and bloody, they pierce the black sky.

In the old park’s desolation and frost
 the paths of two ghostly figures have crossed.

 Their eyes are dead and their lips slack and gray
 and one can scarcely hear the words they say.

 In the old park’s desolation and frost
 two spectres have been evoking the past.

 - “Do you recall our bliss of that September?”
 - “Why ever should you wish me to remember?”

 - “Now when you hear my name does your heart-rate grow?
 Do you still see me in your dreams?”  - “No.”

 - Ah, the enchantment of loving so dearly,
 those kisses that we shared!” - “Did we really?”

 Skies were so blue and hopes so high, so proud!
Defeated hope has fled in a sombre cloud.

Thus did they walk in the wild grass swaying.
Only the night heard the words they were saying.

(Paul Verlaine, Colloque sentimental)

(Translation : Peter Low)