Reflections on Helen Frankenthaler’s Mauve District, by Davidson Garrett

Mauve District, by Frankenthaler (USA) 1966

Reflections on Helen Frankenthaler’s 
Mauve District

it is a pale purple
uneven territory
created by 
an abstract dripper 
mapping the 
square canvas 
with permanent 
restrictions 
to legally dominate
the quadratic space
exclusively 
for neglected                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
plum looking pigments
retreating from 
creamy/white domination
that arrogantly refuse 
to variegate 
into a universal 
multicolored municipality 
tinted with 
rainbow brush strokes
& darker hues 
which fuel artistic energy 
while burnished gold  
flowing like rivulets 
guard the whitish border 
preventing 
blues & reds
from merging into mauve 
preferring 
distinct segregation 
rather than 
blended integration

Davidson Garrett

This was first published by Sensations Magazine.

Davidson Garrett is a poet, actor, and former New York City yellow taxi driver who lives in Manhattan. He is the author of two poetry collections, King Lear of the Taci, published by Advent Purple Press, and Arias of a Rhapsodic Spirit, published by Kelsay Books.  www.davidsongarrett.com