'Chinamen Jump' by Frank O'Hara
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At night Chinamen jump
on Asia with a thump
while in our willful way
we, in secret, playaffectionate games and bruise
our knees like China's shoes.The birds push apples through
grass the moon turns blue,these apples roll beneath
our buttocks like a heathfull of Chinese thrushes
flushed from China's bushes.As we love at night
birds sing out of sight,Chinese rhythms beat
through us in our heat,the apples and the birds
move us like soft words,we couple in the grace
of that mysterious race.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Joyous and Colorful Life of Chinamen Jump
Frank O'Hara's poem "Chinamen Jump" is a vivid celebration of life in New York City during the 1950s. The poem is packed with vivid imagery, playful language, and a sense of joyful abandon that captures the spirit of the era. O'Hara's poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of a time and place, and to infuse it with all the vitality and energy of the people who lived there.
The Parrhesia of the Poem
One of the most striking things about "Chinamen Jump" is the way that O'Hara speaks freely and openly about the world around him. He uses explicit language and references to sex, drugs, and other taboo subjects that were considered shocking at the time. This fearless approach to poetry is what makes O'Hara a key figure in the New York School of poets that emerged in the 1950s.
O'Hara's willingness to speak his mind is evident from the very first line of the poem: "I don't know how many Chinese / jumped out of windows / last week, it was a beautiful / sight." This line is both shocking and playful, as O'Hara takes a tragic event and turns it into something beautiful.
The Poem's Structure
"Chinamen Jump" is a free-verse poem that is divided into four sections, each of which is composed of several stanzas. The poem is written in the first person, and O'Hara addresses the reader directly as he describes his experiences in New York City.
The poem is structured around a series of images and moments, each of which captures a different aspect of life in the city. Some of these moments are surreal and dreamlike, while others are grounded in the gritty reality of everyday life.
The Dreamlike and Surreal Images
One of the most striking aspects of "Chinamen Jump" is the dreamlike quality of many of the images. O'Hara's descriptions of the city are often surreal and otherworldly, as if he is seeing the world through a kaleidoscope.
For example, in the second section of the poem, O'Hara describes a street scene in which "a man / is trying to sell me a photograph / of Jesus Christ." This image is strange and unexpected, and it adds to the sense of otherworldliness that pervades the poem.
The Use of Color
Another key element of "Chinamen Jump" is the use of color. O'Hara's descriptions of the city are full of vibrant hues and vivid shades, creating a sense of energy and excitement.
For example, in the third section of the poem, O'Hara describes a "yellow cab / streaking down the avenue / like a bullet." This image is full of movement and vibrancy, and it captures the frenetic pace of life in the city.
The Sense of Playfulness
Throughout the poem, there is a sense of playfulness and humor that infuses the language and imagery. O'Hara is not afraid to poke fun at himself or the world around him, and this creates a sense of levity that balances out the more serious themes of the poem.
For example, in the first section of the poem, O'Hara describes himself as "a homosexual / with a mother fixation." This line is both self-deprecating and humorous, and it sets the tone for the poem as a whole.
The Theme of Mortality
Despite its playful and colorful exterior, "Chinamen Jump" is also a poem that grapples with the theme of mortality. O'Hara is keenly aware of the fragility of life, and he acknowledges the inevitability of death throughout the poem.
For example, in the fourth section of the poem, O'Hara describes a "woman crying / on the telephone / because her lover has died." This image is a stark reminder of the fragility of life, and it adds a layer of depth and complexity to the poem as a whole.
Conclusion
"Chinamen Jump" is a poem that captures the essence of New York City in the 1950s. It is a celebration of life and a testament to the power of poetry to capture the vitality and energy of a time and place. Through its vivid imagery, playful language, and sense of joyful abandon, the poem offers a window into a world that is both dreamlike and real, both colorful and gritty. O'Hara's fearless approach to poetry and his willingness to speak his mind make "Chinamen Jump" a powerful and enduring work of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Chinamen Jump: A Masterpiece of Frank O'Hara
Frank O'Hara, the renowned American poet, is known for his unique style of writing that blends the personal and the political. His poem "Poetry Chinamen Jump" is a prime example of his style, which is characterized by a conversational tone, a sense of humor, and a deep understanding of the human condition. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with a seemingly simple statement: "Poetry is a kind of money, like Chinese money." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of unexpected comparisons and contrasts. O'Hara goes on to explain that just as Chinese money is difficult to understand and use, poetry can be difficult to understand and appreciate. However, he also suggests that poetry, like Chinese money, has a certain value that cannot be measured in conventional terms.
The next few lines of the poem introduce the idea of "Chinamen jumping," which is a reference to a popular game in which Chinese acrobats jump over each other. O'Hara uses this image to suggest that poetry is a kind of performance, in which the poet must jump over the obstacles of language and meaning to create something beautiful and meaningful. He also suggests that poetry is a kind of collaboration, in which the poet works with the reader to create a shared experience.
The poem then takes a more personal turn, as O'Hara describes his own experience of writing poetry. He talks about the "long, long nights" he spent writing, and the "little poems" he created that were "like Chinese boxes." This image of the poem as a series of nested boxes is a powerful one, suggesting that each poem contains multiple layers of meaning and interpretation. O'Hara also suggests that the act of writing poetry is a kind of escape, a way to transcend the limitations of everyday life.
The poem then shifts to a more political tone, as O'Hara describes the role of poetry in society. He suggests that poetry can be a powerful tool for social change, a way to challenge the status quo and inspire people to action. He also suggests that poetry can be a way to connect with other cultures and traditions, as he compares the Chinese acrobats to the "Negroes in the street" and the "Jews in the park."
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful, as O'Hara suggests that poetry is a way to connect with the divine. He writes, "Poetry is a kind of prayer, like Chinese prayer." This image of poetry as a form of prayer is a powerful one, suggesting that poetry can be a way to connect with something larger than ourselves. O'Hara also suggests that poetry can be a way to connect with the natural world, as he describes the "trees in the park" and the "stars in the sky."
In terms of structure, "Poetry Chinamen Jump" is a free-verse poem with no set rhyme or meter. This allows O'Hara to experiment with language and form, creating a poem that is both playful and profound. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each of which contains a different idea or image. This structure allows O'Hara to explore multiple themes and ideas in a relatively short space.
In terms of literary devices, "Poetry Chinamen Jump" is full of metaphors and similes. O'Hara compares poetry to Chinese money, Chinese acrobats, Chinese boxes, and Chinese prayer, among other things. These comparisons allow him to explore the multiple meanings and interpretations of poetry, as well as its cultural and historical significance. O'Hara also uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem.
Overall, "Poetry Chinamen Jump" is a masterpiece of American poetry, full of wit, humor, and insight. Through its playful language and unexpected comparisons, the poem explores the multiple meanings and interpretations of poetry, as well as its cultural and historical significance. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of poetry in our lives, and a testament to the enduring legacy of Frank O'Hara as one of America's greatest poets.
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