Mutterings from a Grungy Voice

Aykay

Narrations of Random Poems

Episodes

  1. 07/05/2021

    Having a Coke with You - Frank O' Hara

    Having A Coke With You is a love poem Frank O'Hara wrote in 1960. It is based on an afternoon drink with a young lover, set under a tree in New York city. Published in a small magazine initially (Love), it was also included in the book, Lunch Poems, of 1965. It is a typically spontaneous O'Hara work, unconventional and open-hearted, dashed off with enthusiasm. Frank O'Hara was known as a poet among the painters' because of his association with a group of New York artists, the abstract expressionists, with whom he collaborated for a number of years. A livewire and party animal, he worked at MoMA as an assistant curator. Though not prolific, his carefree style which he termed 'Personism' went against the grain of tradition. He hated literary pretension and wanted his poetry to reflect his dynamic interest in and involvement with cutting edge cultural activity. Manhattan, his stomping ground, was certainly full of that. Having A Coke With You was written when O'Hara returned from a trip to Spain in April 1960 and focuses on the intimate relationship between two people enjoying a drink and alludes to art and religion. It's an unorthodox poem, one that contrasts a beautiful lover with fine art and saintliness.

    2 min
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Narrations of Random Poems

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