'The Day Lady Died' by Frank O'Hara
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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
and for Mike I just stroll into the PARK LANE
Liquor Store and ask for a bottle of Strega and
then I go back where I came from to 6th Avenue
and the tobacconist in the Ziegfeld Theatre and
casually ask for a carton of Gauloises and a carton
of Picayunes, and a NEW YORK POST with her face on it
and I am sweating a lot by now and thinking of
leaning on the john door in the 5 SPOT
while she whispered a song along the keyboard
to Mal Waldron and everyone and I stopped breathing
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Day Lady Died: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
If you are a lover of modern poetry, then you have probably heard of Frank O'Hara, the brilliant American poet, writer, and art critic, who left an indelible mark on the literary world of the 20th century. One of his most famous poems, "The Day Lady Died," is a masterpiece of modern poetry that has been analyzed and interpreted by countless scholars and critics over the years. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at this iconic poem and explore its themes, structure, and style.
A Snapshot of a Moment in Time
"The Day Lady Died" is a poem that captures a moment in time. It is a snapshot of the day that Billie Holiday, the legendary jazz singer, died. O'Hara wrote the poem on that very same day, July 17, 1959, while walking through the streets of New York City. The poem is essentially a stream of consciousness, a recollection of O'Hara's thoughts, feelings, and observations as he goes about his day. It is a personal, intimate, and emotional account of a moment in history.
A Celebration of Life and Art
At its core, "The Day Lady Died" is a celebration of life and art. O'Hara is not mourning the death of Billie Holiday, but rather celebrating the beauty and joy that she brought into the world. He does this by juxtaposing the mundane details of his day with the larger-than-life persona of Billie Holiday. For example, he mentions buying a "hot dog and a beer" at a lunch counter and then says, "and I am sweating a lot by now and thinking of leaning on the john door in the 5 SPOT while she whispered a song along the keyboard to Mal Waldron and everyone and I stopped breathing." This contrast between the ordinary and the extraordinary creates a sense of wonder and awe, and makes us appreciate the power of art to transcend the everyday.
A Tribute to New York City
Another theme that runs through "The Day Lady Died" is a tribute to New York City. O'Hara was a passionate lover of the city, and he uses the poem to pay homage to its vibrancy, diversity, and energy. He mentions various landmarks and neighborhoods, such as the Empire State Building, the Staten Island Ferry, and the Brooklyn Bridge, and he highlights the people and cultures that make the city so unique. His love for the city is infectious, and it makes us want to experience it for ourselves.
A Poem of the Moment
One of the defining features of "The Day Lady Died" is its immediacy. O'Hara wrote the poem in real-time, as he was experiencing the day, and this gives it a sense of urgency and authenticity. The poem is not a carefully crafted work of art, but rather a spontaneous expression of O'Hara's thoughts and feelings. This makes it a poem of the moment, a snapshot of a specific time and place that can never be replicated. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the fleeting and ephemeral moments of life.
A Masterclass in Free Verse
From a stylistic standpoint, "The Day Lady Died" is a masterclass in free verse. O'Hara eschews traditional poetic forms and structures, and instead allows his thoughts and emotions to flow freely. The poem has a conversational tone, as if O'Hara is speaking directly to the reader, and it is full of everyday language and references. This makes it accessible and relatable, and it shows that poetry doesn't have to be highbrow or elitist. Anyone can appreciate and enjoy it.
Conclusion
"The Day Lady Died" is a remarkable poem that captures the essence of a moment in time. It celebrates the beauty of life and art, pays tribute to New York City, and showcases O'Hara's masterful use of free verse. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the ephemeral moments of life and make them eternal. As we read and interpret this iconic poem, we can't help but feel moved, inspired, and grateful for the gift of art.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Day Lady Died: A Poem That Captures the Essence of a Moment
Frank O'Hara's "The Day Lady Died" is a classic poem that captures the essence of a moment in time. The poem is a tribute to Billie Holiday, the legendary jazz singer who died on July 17, 1959. O'Hara's poem is a snapshot of a day in the life of a New Yorker, and it is a celebration of the city's vibrant culture.
The poem is written in free verse, and it is divided into three stanzas. The first stanza sets the scene, and it describes the speaker's activities on the day that Billie Holiday died. The second stanza is a tribute to Billie Holiday, and it captures the essence of her music and her life. The third stanza is a reflection on the speaker's own mortality, and it is a reminder that life is fleeting.
The poem begins with the speaker walking down the street, and he is struck by the beauty of the day. He describes the sights and sounds of the city, and he marvels at the energy and vitality of the people around him. He is on his way to meet a friend, and he is looking forward to spending time with her.
As he walks, he hears the news that Billie Holiday has died. The news hits him hard, and he is overcome with emotion. He describes the impact that Billie Holiday had on his life, and he pays tribute to her talent and her spirit. He remembers the times that he saw her perform, and he is filled with a sense of loss.
In the second stanza, O'Hara pays tribute to Billie Holiday. He describes her music as "the opposite of war," and he celebrates her ability to capture the essence of life in her songs. He describes her voice as "a pure soprano," and he marvels at her ability to convey emotion through her music. He also pays tribute to her life, and he acknowledges the struggles that she faced as a black woman in a racist society.
In the third stanza, the speaker reflects on his own mortality. He is reminded that life is fleeting, and he is filled with a sense of urgency. He describes the things that he wants to do before he dies, and he is determined to make the most of his time. He is also reminded of the importance of art, and he acknowledges the role that artists play in capturing the essence of life.
Overall, "The Day Lady Died" is a powerful poem that captures the essence of a moment in time. It is a tribute to Billie Holiday, and it is a celebration of the city's vibrant culture. It is also a reminder that life is fleeting, and that we should make the most of our time. O'Hara's poem is a testament to the power of art, and it is a reminder that artists have the ability to capture the essence of life in their work.
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