I really enjoyed reading Frank O’ Hara’s poetry because unlike most poems, it does not follow a certain format or the usual formal style of writing and language, which kind of makes it more understandable and familiar. Another reason why I think it kind of seemed easier to relate to and understand is because it depicts the flurry and diversity of activities on the sidewalks in New York.
Each poem of Frank O Hara is written on the events, sights and descriptions of a day’s walk in the city by the poet himself, where he sees the hustle bustle of the city. Also, he highlights the racial and sexual diversity, liberty, pollution, crowdedness and the fast paced development and life of the city. He talks about the encounters between Blacks and Whites, and generally, about the other ethnic communities like Puerto Ricans, etc. He says ‘the Manhattan Storage Warehouse, which they’ll soon tear down. I used to think they had the Armory Show there’, which relates the rapidly changing construction and development in the city.
Frank also tells its readers about the economic diversity of New York by saying ‘down the sidewalk where laborers feed their dirty glistening torsos sandwiches and Coca-Cola’, and then later, he talks about ‘a lady in foxes on such a day puts her poodle in a cab’.
At the end of the poem, “Steps”, Frank sums up his love for New York after describing the local events, people and activities, with the first line of ‘How funny you are today New York’ of addressing the city.
My interpretation of this poem is that through the sights and things narrated by the poet, I am able to learn about and understand the culture, essence and demographics of New York City.