A Step Away From Them by Frank O'Hara Poem Analysis

A step away from them by Frank OHara is a poem found in a book called Lunch Poems published in 1964. It is in the context of the poet spending lunch hour in New York City reconnecting with the surrounding in relation to time. Its structural elements, as described in this article, are very useful in understanding the poem. To begin with, the poem is composed of five stanzas that are of different lengths. The first stanza is the longest with 14 lines while the last stanza is the shortest with only 3 lines. However, their shape is almost the same due to the usage of lines that are of the same short length, giving each of the stanzas a block shape. Frank has written the poem in a free verse style. Hence it does not have a regular rhyme scheme. Breaks are appearing at junctures where they are least expected. For example, he completes his first sentence at the beginning of the third line, which is unusual given the expectation that the sentences are likely to end at the end of a line. He also starts some sentences at the end a line. Actually, Frank uses enjambment extensively since most of his sentences are carried on to the next lines. The diction used is grammatical as sentences are properly structured as well as adhering to English language conventions. In addition, the sentences in the lines have been punctuated conventionally with no excesses. The sentences used are mainly complex, with a strong command of English language rules. The poem portrays obsession with time and bereavement at the brevity of lunch time. In fact, the poem opens with an indication of preoccupation with time. The opening line is Its my lunch hour, which indicates a sense of time consciousness in the poem (1). Before long, Frank brings the context of time still in the first stanza by saying I look / at bargains in wristwatches, which he uses to ironically refer to Time Square, a place in New York City where is was strolling during lunch break (12-13). The poet further displays the obsession with time when he says: "Everything / suddenly honks: it is 12:40 of / a Thursday. (22 -24). It is also important to note that I appears only in reference to time in the opening stanza. The poem is presented in a form that appears to be a mixture of narration and elegy. Frank begins by describing the environment and activities that he encountered during his walk at lunch time. Then suddenly in the fourth stanza, he turns the poem into an elegy by lamenting the death of his friends; Bunny, John and Jackson. He says,

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makes it beautiful and warm. First

Bunny died, then John Latouche,

then Jackson Pollock. But is the

earth as full as life was full, of them? (36-39)

Part 2: Explication

The poet is having a personal reflection in the context of human activities and time limitations. The main idea of the poem is shortness of time as he repeatedly expresses. He starts the poem by signaling that it was lunch hour to imply that the poem would be about time. He also ironically refers to bargains in wristwatches to ironically hint his entry into Times Squares. By saying that everything / suddenly honks: it is 12:40 of / a Thursday he implies that time has control over everything (22-24). His lunch break also ends seemingly before he completes his observations and activities as indicated in the last stanza: A glass of papaya juice / and back to work. My heart is in my / pocket; it is Poems by Pierre Reverdy. (47-49).

Perhaps this is to indicate the brevity of life as he had witnessed with the demise of his friends. Through the poem, he addresses the theme of shortness of life by alluding to how his lunch hour elapsed presumably before he completed what he was doing. In addition, he tackles the theme of purpose by concluding the poem with reference to the book of poems in his pocket given that he was a renowned poet. Furthermore, he addresses the issue of interpersonal connections through his reference to deceased friends. The central message of the poem is that despite the human obsession with life, time imposes limits.

Work cited

Hara, Frank O' "A Step Away from Them by Frank O'Hara | Poetry Foundation." Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2017.