'Meditations In An Emergency' by Frank O'Hara


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Am I to become profligate as if I were a blonde? Or religious
as if I were French?Each time my heart is broken it makes me feel more adventurous
(and how the same names keep recurring on that interminable
list!), but one of these days there'll be nothing left with
which to venture forth.Why should I share you? Why don't you get rid of someone else
for a change?I am the least difficult of men.All I want is boundless love.Even trees understand me! Good heavens, I lie under them, too,
don't I? I'm just like a pile of leaves.However, I have never clogged myself with the praises of
pastoral life, nor with nostalgia for an innocent past of
perverted acts in pastures.No.One need never leave the
confines of New York to get all the greenery one wishes--I can't
even enjoy a blade of grass unless i know there's a subway
handy, or a record store or some other sign that people do not
totally _regret_ life.It is more important to affirm the
least sincere; the clouds get enough attention as it is and
even they continue to pass.Do they know what they're missing?
Uh huh.My eyes are vague blue, like the sky, and change all the time;
they are indiscriminate but fleeting, entirely specific and
disloyal, so that no one trusts me.I am always looking away.
Or again at something after it has given me up.It makes me
restless and that makes me unhappy, but I cannot keep them
still.If only i had grey, green, black, brown, yellow eyes; I
would stay at home and do something.It's not that I'm
curious.On the contrary, I am bored but it's my duty to be
attentive, I am needed by things as the sky must be above the
earth.And lately, so great has _their_ anxiety become, I can
spare myself little sleep.Now there is only one man I like to kiss when he is unshaven.
Heterosexuality! you are inexorably approaching.(How best
discourage her?)St. Serapion, I wrap myself in the robes of your whiteness
which is like midnight in Dostoevsky.How I am to become a
legend, my dear?I've tried love, but that holds you in the
bosom of another and I'm always springing forth from it like
the lotus--the ecstasy of always bursting forth!(but one must
not be distracted by it!) or like a hyacinth, "to keep the
filth of life away," yes, even in the heart, where the filth is
pumped in and slanders and pollutes and determines.I will my
will, though I may become famous for a mysterious vacancy in
that department, that greenhouse.Destroy yourself, if you don't know!It is easy to be beautiful; it is difficult to appear so.I
admire you, beloved, for the trap you've set.It's like a
final chapter no one reads because the plot is over."Fanny Brown is run away--scampered off with a Cornet of Horse;
I do love that little Minx, & hope She may be happy, tho' She
has vexed me by this exploit a little too.--Poor silly
Cecchina! or F:B: as we used to call her.--I wish She had a
good Whipping and 10,000 pounds."--Mrs. ThraleI've got to get out of here.I choose a piece of shawl and my
dirtiest suntans.I'll be back, I'll re-emerge, defeated, from
the valley; you don't want me to go where you go, so I go where
you don't want me to.It's only afternoon, there's a lot
ahead.There won't be any mail downstairs.Turning, I spit in
the lock and the knob turns.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Meditations In An Emergency: An Exploration of Frank O'Hara's Poetic Style

Frank O'Hara's collection of poetry, Meditations In An Emergency, is a masterful exploration of the human condition. With a unique blend of personal experience, pop culture references, and philosophical musings, O'Hara captures the essence of life in a way that is both relatable and profound. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and poetic style of Meditations In An Emergency, and how O'Hara's work continues to resonate with readers today.

Themes

At its core, Meditations In An Emergency is a meditation on the human experience. O'Hara grapples with the big questions of life - love, death, identity, and purpose - through a lens that is both personal and universal. His poems are filled with a sense of urgency and raw emotion, as though he is grappling with these questions in real-time.

One theme that runs throughout the collection is the search for connection. O'Hara is acutely aware of the ways in which we are all connected - to each other, to the natural world, and to something greater than ourselves. He writes about the joys and pains of love, the fleeting nature of human connection, and the struggle to find meaning in a world that can often feel chaotic and overwhelming.

Another theme that arises in Meditations In An Emergency is the tension between the individual and society. O'Hara is acutely aware of the ways in which society can stifle individual expression and creativity, yet he is also deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of his time. His work is populated with references to pop culture icons like James Dean and Marilyn Monroe, as well as nods to the art world and literary canon.

Imagery

O'Hara's poetry is famous for its vivid and evocative imagery. He uses language to paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind, creating a sensory experience that is both visceral and immersive.

One of the most striking examples of O'Hara's use of imagery can be found in his poem "The Day Lady Died." In this poem, O'Hara describes the day that Billie Holiday died, and the sensory details he includes are both potent and heartbreaking:

"It is 12:20 in New York a Friday three days after Bastille day, yes it is 1959 and I go get a shoeshine because I will get off the 4:19 in Easthampton at 7:15 and then go straight to dinner and I don't know the people who will feed me I walk up the muggy street beginning to sun and have a hamburger and a malted and buy an ugly NEW WORLD WRITING to see what the poets in Ghana are doing these days I go on to the bank and Miss Stillwagon (first name Linda I once heard) doesn't even look up my balance for once in her life and in the GOLDEN GRIFFIN I get a little Verlaine for Patsy with drawings by Bonnard although I do think of Hesiod, trans. Richmond Lattimore or Brendan Behan's new play or Le Balcon or Les Nègres of Genet, but I don't, I stick with Verlaine after practically going to sleep with quandariness"

In just a few lines, O'Hara manages to transport the reader to a specific time and place, using sensory details like the heat of the summer day and the taste of a hamburger and malted. The poem is filled with references to the cultural landscape of its time, from the literary works of Hesiod and Brendan Behan to the art of Bonnard and the plays of Jean Genet.

Poetic Style

One of the most striking things about O'Hara's poetry is his use of language. He eschews traditional poetic forms in favor of a more free-flowing style that mimics the way we think and speak in everyday life. His poems are filled with run-on sentences, colloquialisms, and pop culture references, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy that draws the reader in.

O'Hara's poetry also relies heavily on repetition and fragmentation. He often repeats certain phrases or images throughout a poem, building a sense of momentum and urgency. He also frequently breaks up his lines and stanzas in unconventional ways, creating a sense of fragmentation and disorientation that mirrors the chaotic nature of modern life.

One example of O'Hara's use of repetition and fragmentation can be found in his poem "Having a Coke With You." In this poem, O'Hara describes the simple pleasure of sharing a Coke with someone he loves, but the poem is filled with repetition and fragmentation that creates a sense of tension:

"I look as the horse which is not going to go wasted on me which is why I am telling you about it"

The repetition of the phrase "having a coke with you" throughout the poem creates a sense of momentum and urgency, while the fragmented lines and stanzas create a sense of disorientation and chaos.

Conclusion

In Meditations In An Emergency, Frank O'Hara creates a poetic landscape that is both personal and universal. His work is filled with vivid imagery, raw emotion, and a sense of urgency that captures the essence of the human experience. By eschewing traditional poetic forms and relying on repetition and fragmentation, O'Hara creates a style that is both modern and timeless.

As readers, we cannot help but be drawn in by O'Hara's unique voice and perspective. His work speaks to the human condition in a way that is both relatable and profound, and his legacy continues to resonate with readers today. Meditations In An Emergency is a true masterpiece of modern poetry, and it stands as a testament to O'Hara's lasting impact on the literary world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Meditations In An Emergency: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

Frank O'Hara's Poetry Meditations In An Emergency is a collection of poems that has stood the test of time and remains a masterpiece of modern poetry. Published in 1957, the collection is a reflection of the poet's life and times, capturing the essence of the post-war era in America. The poems are a mix of personal and political themes, with O'Hara's unique style and voice shining through in every line.

The collection is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct themes and motifs. The first section, titled "Poems," contains some of O'Hara's most famous works, including "A Step Away from Them" and "The Day Lady Died." These poems are characterized by their conversational tone and their focus on the everyday experiences of the poet. O'Hara's use of free verse and his disregard for traditional poetic forms make these poems feel fresh and spontaneous, as if they were written in the moment.

The second section, titled "Meditations," is a departure from the first section's focus on the personal. These poems are more political in nature, with O'Hara addressing issues such as the Cold War and the threat of nuclear war. However, even in these poems, O'Hara's unique voice and style shine through. He uses humor and irony to comment on the absurdity of the political situation, and his use of language is both playful and powerful.

The final section, titled "In an Emergency," is perhaps the most personal of the three. These poems were written during a time of crisis in O'Hara's life, and they reflect his feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. However, even in these dark moments, O'Hara's wit and humor shine through. He uses language to create a sense of playfulness and lightness, even in the face of adversity.

One of the most striking things about Poetry Meditations In An Emergency is O'Hara's use of language. He is a master of the spoken word, and his poems feel like conversations with a close friend. He uses everyday language and references to popular culture to create a sense of familiarity and intimacy with the reader. This makes his poems feel accessible and relatable, even to those who may not be familiar with the world of poetry.

Another notable aspect of O'Hara's poetry is his use of imagery. He paints vivid pictures with his words, using sensory details to bring his poems to life. For example, in "A Step Away from Them," he describes the people he sees on the streets of New York City in vivid detail:

"First, a woman in a fur coat put her hand on my wrist and I thought of my lover"

This simple image of a woman's hand on the poet's wrist is both sensual and evocative, capturing the essence of the city and the people who inhabit it.

O'Hara's poetry is also notable for its use of humor and irony. He uses these tools to comment on the absurdity of life and to poke fun at the conventions of poetry. For example, in "The Day Lady Died," he describes his mundane activities on the day that Billie Holiday died:

"I went to the bank and the hardware store, I went to the fruit stand and the butcher"

This juxtaposition of the mundane with the tragic is both humorous and poignant, highlighting the way that life goes on even in the face of tragedy.

In conclusion, Poetry Meditations In An Emergency is a masterpiece of modern poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. O'Hara's unique voice and style, his use of everyday language and imagery, and his humor and irony make his poems feel fresh and relevant, even more than 60 years after they were written. This collection is a must-read for anyone interested in modern poetry, and it is a testament to the enduring power of the written word.

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