'Ann Arbor Variations' by Frank O'Hara

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1
Wet heat drifts through the afternoon
like a campus dog, a fraternity ghost
waiting to stay home from football games.
The arches are empty clear to the sky.

Except for the leaves: those lashes of our
thinking and dreaming and drinking sight.
The spherical radiance, the Old English
look, the sum of our being, "hath perced

to the roote" all our springs and falls
and now rolls over our limpness, a daily
dragon. We lose our health in a love
of color, drown in a fountain of myriads,

as simply as children. It is too hot,
our birth was given up to screaming. Our
life on these street lawns seems silent.
The leaves chatter their comparisons

to the wind and the sky fills up
before we are out of bed. O infinite
our siestas! adobe effigies in a land
that is sick of us and our tanned flesh.

The wind blows towards us particularly
the sobbing of our dear friends on both
coasts. We are sick of living and afraid
that death will not be by water, o sea.

2
Along the walks and shaded ways
pregnant women look snidely at children.
Two weeks ago they were told, in these

selfsame pools of trefoil, "the market
for emeralds is collapsing," "chlorophyll
shines in your eyes," "the sea's misery

is progenitor of the dark moss which hides
on the north side of trees and cries."
What do they think of slim kids now?

and how, when the summer's gong of day
and night slithers towards their sweat
and towards the nest of their arms

and thighs, do they feel about children
whose hides are pearly with days of swimming?
Do they mistake these fresh drops for tears?

The wind works over these women constantly!
trying, perhaps, to curdle their milk
or make their spring unseasonably fearful,

season they face with dread and bright eyes,
The leaves, wrinkled or shiny like apples,
wave women courage and sigh, a void temperature.

3
The alternatives of summer do not remove
us from this place. The fainting into skies
from a diving board, the express train to
Detroit's damp bars, the excess of affection
on the couch near an open window or a Bauhaus
fire escape, the lazy regions of stars, all
are strangers. Like Mayakovsky read on steps
of cool marble, or Yeats danced in a theatre
of polite music. The classroon day of dozing
and grammar, the partial eclipse of the head
in the row in front of the head of poplars,
sweet Syrinx! last out the summer in a stay
of iron. Workmen loiter before urinals, stare
out windows at girders tightly strapped to clouds.
And in the morning we whimper as we cook
an egg, so far from fluttering sands and azure!

4
The violent No! of the sun
burns the forehead of hills.
Sand fleas arrive from Salt Lake
and most of the theatres close.

The leaves roll into cigars, or
it seems our eyes stick together
in sleep. O forest, o brook of
spice, o cool gaze of strangers!

the city tumbles towards autumn
in a convulsion of tourists
and teachers. We dance in the dark,
forget the anger of what we blame

on the day. Children toss and murmur
as a rumba blankets their trees and
beckons their stars closer, older, now.
We move o'er the world, being so much here.

It's as if Poseidon left off counting
his waters for a moment! In the fields
the silence is music like the moon.
The bullfrogs sleep in their hairy caves.

across the avenue a trefoil lamp
of the streets tosses luckily.
The leaves, finally, love us! and
moonrise! we die upon the sun.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Ann Arbor Variations by Frank O'Hara: A Masterpiece in the World of Poetry

As a literary critic, I have encountered many poems that are considered great by many, but Frank O'Hara's Ann Arbor Variations stands out for me. This poem is a masterpiece in the world of poetry, and I am excited to share my literary criticism and interpretation of this work.

Background Information

Before we dive into the poem, it's important to know a little bit about the context in which it was written. Frank O'Hara was an American poet and art critic who lived from 1926 to 1966. He was associated with the New York School of poetry, a group of poets who were known for their avant-garde style and their connection to the art world.

Ann Arbor Variations was written in 1957, during a time when O'Hara was teaching at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The poem is a series of variations on a single theme, and it captures the essence of O'Hara's poetic style.

Literary Analysis

Ann Arbor Variations is a poem that is rich in imagery and language. The poem is divided into several sections, each of which is a variation on the theme of Ann Arbor. In each section, O'Hara uses vivid imagery to describe the sights and sounds of the city.

The poem begins with the following lines:

To think of Ann Arbor as a woman
with her arms wrapped around you
is to understand my feelings for you.

The imagery here is powerful. By comparing the city to a woman, O'Hara is suggesting that Ann Arbor is something that he has an emotional connection to. The idea of the city's arms wrapped around the speaker creates a sense of intimacy and closeness.

In the second section of the poem, O'Hara describes the city in more detail:

The bell tower is like a giant
phallus ejaculating
into the sky.

This is a startling image, and it's one that is typical of O'Hara's poetic style. By comparing the bell tower to a phallus, O'Hara is suggesting that the city is a masculine entity. The image of the tower ejaculating into the sky is a metaphor for the city's vitality and energy.

The third section of the poem is a variation on the theme of sound:

A train whistle
in the distance
is like a lover
calling out your name.

Here, O'Hara uses the sound of a train whistle to create a sense of longing and desire. The image of the lover calling out your name is a powerful one, and it suggests that the city is a place that is full of passion and romance.

In the final section of the poem, O'Hara brings together all of the different themes that he has explored:

Ann Arbor, you are a woman
with your arms wrapped around me,
a phallic tower reaching for the sky,
the sound of a train whistle in the distance.
You are all of these things to me,
and more.

Here, O'Hara is suggesting that the city is a complex entity that cannot be reduced to a single image or idea. The city is a woman, a tower, a sound, and much more. This final section of the poem is a testament to O'Hara's skill as a poet, and it's a powerful conclusion to a work that is both beautiful and haunting.

Interpretation

Ann Arbor Variations is a poem that is open to interpretation, and different readers will take away different meanings from it. For me, the poem is a love letter to the city of Ann Arbor, and it's a celebration of the complex and multifaceted nature of urban life.

I believe that O'Hara was trying to capture the essence of the city in this poem. He was attempting to distill the sights and sounds of Ann Arbor into a series of vivid images and metaphors. In doing so, he was creating a portrait of the city that was both personal and universal.

At the same time, I think that O'Hara was exploring larger themes in this poem. He was trying to capture the essence of urban life and the ways in which cities shape our experiences and our identities. The poem is a celebration of the vitality and energy of urban life, but it's also a reflection on the ways in which cities can be both exhilarating and overwhelming.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ann Arbor Variations is a masterpiece in the world of poetry. It's a work that is rich in imagery and language, and it captures the essence of urban life in a powerful and evocative way. O'Hara was a master of his craft, and this poem is a testament to his skill and his vision.

As a literary critic, I am excited by the many themes and ideas that are explored in this poem. From the complex nature of urban life to the ways in which cities shape our identities, Ann Arbor Variations is a work that is both personal and universal. It's a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Ann Arbor Variations: A Celebration of Life and Art

Frank O'Hara's Ann Arbor Variations is a classic poem that captures the essence of life and art in a unique and exciting way. Written in 1957, the poem is a celebration of the creative spirit and the joy of living. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem to understand its significance and impact on the world of poetry.

Themes

The poem is a celebration of life and art, and it explores the themes of creativity, freedom, and spontaneity. O'Hara celebrates the creative spirit and the joy of living in the moment. He encourages us to embrace our passions and pursue our dreams, without fear or hesitation. The poem is a call to action, urging us to live life to the fullest and to express ourselves freely and authentically.

Structure

The poem is structured as a series of variations, each one exploring a different aspect of life and art. The variations are connected by a common thread of creativity and spontaneity, and they flow seamlessly from one to the next. The poem is divided into three sections, each one building on the themes and ideas of the previous section.

The first section of the poem is a celebration of the creative spirit. O'Hara encourages us to embrace our passions and pursue our dreams, without fear or hesitation. He celebrates the joy of creation and the freedom that comes with expressing ourselves authentically. The second section of the poem is a celebration of the beauty of the world around us. O'Hara marvels at the wonders of nature and the magic of the city, and he encourages us to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us every day. The third section of the poem is a celebration of the human experience. O'Hara explores the themes of love, friendship, and connection, and he encourages us to embrace the people in our lives and to cherish the moments we share together.

Language

The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet it is also rich and evocative. O'Hara uses vivid imagery and sensory details to bring the world to life, and he uses a conversational tone to connect with his readers. The poem is full of playful wordplay and unexpected turns of phrase, which add to its sense of spontaneity and joy.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition. O'Hara repeats certain phrases and images throughout the poem, creating a sense of unity and coherence. For example, the phrase "I am in love" appears several times throughout the poem, each time with a slightly different meaning. This repetition creates a sense of continuity and connection, and it reinforces the themes of love and connection that run throughout the poem.

Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of allusion. O'Hara references a number of artists and writers throughout the poem, including Shakespeare, Rimbaud, and Picasso. These allusions add depth and richness to the poem, and they connect it to a broader tradition of artistic expression.

Conclusion

Ann Arbor Variations is a classic poem that celebrates the creative spirit and the joy of living. Through its themes, structure, and language, the poem encourages us to embrace our passions, appreciate the beauty of the world around us, and cherish the people in our lives. O'Hara's playful and evocative language, combined with his use of repetition and allusion, creates a sense of unity and coherence that makes the poem both powerful and memorable. As we read and reflect on this poem, we are reminded of the importance of creativity, freedom, and spontaneity in our lives, and we are inspired to live life to the fullest.

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