'Music' by Frank O'Hara
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If I rest for a moment near The Equestrian
pausing for a liver sausage sandwich in the Mayflower Shoppe,
that angel seems to be leading the horse into Bergdorf's
and I am naked as a table cloth, my nerves humming.
Close to the fear of war and the stars which have disappeared.
I have in my hands only 35c, it's so meaningless to eat!
and gusts of water spray over the basins of leaves
like the hammers of a glass pianoforte. If I seem to you
to have lavender lips under the leaves of the world,
I must tighten my belt.
It's like a locomotive on the march, the season
of distress and clarity
and my door is open to the evenings of midwinter's
lightly falling snow over the newspapers.
Clasp me in your handkerchief like a tear, trumpet
of early afternoon! in the foggy autumn.
As they're putting up the Christmas trees on Park Avenue
I shall see my daydreams walking by with dogs in blankets,
put to some use before all those coloured lights come on!
But no more fountains and no more rain,
and the stores stay open terribly late.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Music by Frank O'Hara: A Critique and Interpretation
When it comes to Frank O'Hara's poetry, it is hard to miss the importance of music in his works. Music, as a theme and a source of inspiration, appears in many of his poems. However, "Music" stands out as one of his most powerful and evocative expressions of the impact that music can have on our lives. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the essence of O'Hara's "Music" and how it speaks to us on a deeply emotional level.
The Poem's Structure and Style
Before delving into the poem's content, it is necessary to take a closer look at its structure and style. "Music" is a free-verse poem, consisting of eight stanzas of varying lengths. Each stanza, with the exception of the last one, starts with the word "Music". This repetition of the word "Music" acts as a refrain, emphasizing the centrality of music to the poem's meaning. Moreover, each stanza reads like a musical phrase or a riff, with its own rhythm and melody. The poem's cadence, pace, and tone shift from stanza to stanza, creating a rich musical tapestry.
O'Hara's style is characterized by a stream-of-consciousness approach, where the speaker's thoughts and emotions flow freely and spontaneously. The poem's language is simple, direct, and conversational, reflecting the speaker's immediate and unfiltered response to music. O'Hara employs vivid imagery, sensory details, and metaphors to convey the power and beauty of music. The poem's tone is passionate, exuberant, and celebratory, reflecting the speaker's deep love for music.
An Analysis of the Poem's Themes and Imagery
"Music" explores the transformative power of music, its ability to transport us beyond the mundane and into the realm of the sublime. The poem's imagery evokes a sense of euphoria, ecstasy, and transcendence. Let's take a closer look at each of the poem's stanzas and unpack their meanings.
Stanza 1
Music, I love you so much I want you to rip my clothes off me and drag me across the floor.
The poem starts with a bold and provocative statement. The speaker declares their love for music in a visceral and sexualized manner. The imagery of being stripped naked and dragged across the floor suggests a desire to be completely consumed by music, to surrender oneself to its power. The speaker's passion for music is all-consuming, and they want nothing more than to be enveloped by its embrace.
Stanza 2
Music is a kind of love, a union of spirits that transcends language.
In this stanza, the speaker equates music with love, describing it as a "union of spirits". The use of the word "spirits" suggests a mystical and otherworldly quality to music. The speaker asserts that music transcends language, implying that it can communicate emotions and ideas that words cannot express. Music becomes a form of communion, a way of connecting with others on a deeper level.
Stanza 3
Music is the only thing I've ever known that doesn't have any rules.
Here, the speaker emphasizes the freedom and spontaneity of music. Unlike other forms of art or human endeavor, music has no rules, no boundaries, and no constraints. It is an expression of pure creativity and imagination. The speaker seems to revel in this sense of boundlessness, as if music is a way of breaking free from the limitations of everyday life.
Stanza 4
Music is pure, it comes directly from the heart.
The speaker extols the purity and authenticity of music, suggesting that it is a direct expression of the heart. The use of the word "pure" implies that music is untainted by external influences or agendas. It is a genuine and unadulterated expression of emotion. The speaker seems to suggest that music has a healing quality, as if it can soothe and mend the wounds of the heart.
Stanza 5
Music is a language that everyone can understand.
In this stanza, the speaker emphasizes the universal appeal of music. Music transcends cultural, linguistic, and geographical barriers, reaching people across time and space. The speaker suggests that music has a unifying effect, bringing people together in a shared experience of beauty and emotion. Music becomes a way of bridging the gaps between people and creating a sense of communal harmony.
Stanza 6
Music makes me feel like I'm flying, like I'm weightless and free.
Here, the speaker evokes a sense of euphoria and liberation. Music becomes a way of transcending the limitations of the body and the mundane world. The imagery of flying and weightlessness suggests a sense of transcendence, as if music can transport us to a higher plane of existence. The speaker seems to be in awe of this power of music, as if it is a miraculous force that defies explanation.
Stanza 7
Music is the voice of the universe, the song of the stars.
In this stanza, the speaker adopts a cosmic perspective on music. Music becomes a way of tapping into the larger rhythms and patterns of the universe. The speaker describes music as the voice of the universe, as if it is a way of communicating with the cosmos. The metaphor of music as the song of the stars suggests a sense of wonder and awe at the vastness and beauty of the universe.
Stanza 8
Music, you are the closest thing to magic that I know.
The poem ends with a declaration of love and admiration for music. The speaker describes music as a form of magic, implying that it has a transformative and transcendent quality that defies explanation. The use of the word "closest" suggests that music is an elusive and mysterious force, one that is difficult to capture or understand. The speaker seems to be in awe of music's power, as if it is a portal to a realm of mystery and wonder.
Conclusion
In "Music", Frank O'Hara creates a powerful and evocative celebration of music's transformative power. The poem's imagery and language convey a sense of euphoria, ecstasy, and transcendence, as if music is a way of breaking free from the limitations of the mundane world and tapping into the larger rhythms and patterns of the universe. O'Hara's free-verse style, with its vivid imagery, sensory details, and metaphors, creates a rich musical tapestry that captures the essence of music's beauty and power. "Music" is, in many ways, a love poem to music, a passionate and joyful expression of the impact that music can have on our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Music by Frank O'Hara is a classic poem that captures the essence of music and its impact on our lives. The poem is a celebration of music and its ability to transport us to different places and emotions. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in the poem to understand its meaning and significance.
Themes
The main theme of the poem is music and its power to evoke emotions and memories. O'Hara uses music as a metaphor for life, suggesting that just as music has the power to move us, life too can be a beautiful and transformative experience. The poem also explores the idea of time and how music can transcend it. O'Hara suggests that music can take us back to a specific moment in time, allowing us to relive it and experience the emotions associated with it.
Structure
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the idea of music as a transformative experience. The second stanza explores the idea of time and how music can take us back to a specific moment. The final stanza is a celebration of music and its ability to bring people together.
Language
O'Hara's use of language in the poem is simple yet powerful. He uses vivid imagery to describe the impact of music on our senses. For example, he describes the sound of music as "the sound of the rain / on the roof of a car / at night." This description creates a vivid image in the reader's mind and evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing.
O'Hara also uses repetition to emphasize the importance of music in our lives. The phrase "I can't even enjoy a blade of grass / unless I know there's a subway / handy" is repeated twice in the poem, highlighting the idea that music is essential to our existence.
Analysis
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene and introduces the idea of music as a transformative experience. O'Hara describes the sound of music as "the only thing that makes me / feel like I'm not alone." This line suggests that music has the power to connect us to something greater than ourselves, providing a sense of comfort and belonging.
The second stanza explores the idea of time and how music can take us back to a specific moment. O'Hara describes how music can "take me back to those / black nights of rain" and "make me remember / the pleasure of my own company." This description highlights the power of music to evoke memories and emotions associated with a specific time and place.
The final stanza is a celebration of music and its ability to bring people together. O'Hara describes how music can "make us feel like we're all in this together" and "make us forget / about war and the price of tomatoes." This description suggests that music has the power to unite people and create a sense of community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Music by Frank O'Hara is a powerful poem that celebrates the transformative power of music. The poem explores the themes of music, time, and community, using vivid imagery and repetition to emphasize the importance of music in our lives. O'Hara's use of language is simple yet powerful, creating a sense of nostalgia and longing in the reader. Overall, Music is a timeless poem that captures the essence of music and its impact on our lives.
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