After the Cancer
Matisse began paper cutouts. Small pieces at first. Then bigger. Then murals. So many pictures
made from pieces. Goldfish. Dancers. Portraits. Horses. So beloved, these friendly spectaculars.
Le Bateau hung upside down at MOMA for 46 days and no one said a thing until a stockbroker (imagine! a stockbroker!) noticed and told a guard and newspapers got wind and it all made a kerfuffle. But I suppose boats may go anyway but under, so perhaps it didn't matter. Anyway
after the cancer he found a new way and went on until he died at age 84. Heavy color. Impossible shapes. Bright, bright assembly. A blue nude doing yoga. So many flowers. His great paper gardens go on and on, curves and swashes gouache and glue going and going. Henri you float my boat.
