A Step Away from Them By Frank O’Hara - Giggle Poems

Original Poem：

It’s my lunch hour, so I go
for a walk among the hum-colored
cabs. First, down the sidewalk
where laborers feed their dirty
glistening torsos sandwiches
and Coca-Cola, with yellow helmets
on. They protect them from falling
bricks, I guess. Then onto the
avenue where skirts are flipping
above heels and blow up over
grates. The sun is hot, but the
cabs stir up the air. I look
at bargains in wristwatches. There
are cats playing in sawdust.
On
to Times Square, where the sign
blows smoke over my head, and higher
the waterfall pours lightly. A
Negro stands in a doorway with a
toothpick, languorously agitating.
A blonde chorus girl clicks: he
smiles and rubs his chin. Everything
suddenly honks: it is 12:40 of
a Thursday.
Neon in daylight is a
great pleasure, as Edwin Denby would
write, as are light bulbs in daylight.
I stop for a cheeseburger at JULIET’S
CORNER. Giulietta Masina, wife of
Federico Fellini,
è bell’ attrice.
And chocolate malted. A lady in
foxes on such a day puts her poodle
in a cab.
There are several Puerto
Ricans on the avenue today, which
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?
And one has eaten and one walks,
past the magazines with nudes
and the posters for BULLFIGHT and
the Manhattan Storage Warehouse,
which they’ll soon tear down. I
used to think they had the Armory
Show there.
A glass of papaya juice
and back to work. My heart is in my
pocket, it is Poems by Pierre Reverdy.

Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem

This poem vividly captures a lunch hour stroll through a bustling urban environment, likely New York City, with its colorful taxis, laborers, and iconic locations like Times Square. The speaker’s observations range from the gritty reality of workers eating sandwiches under yellow helmets to the lively, almost theatrical scenes of skirts flipping over grates and neon signs glowing even in daylight. The poem is rich with sensory details—the heat of the sun, the smell of food, the noise of honking cars, and the visual spectacle of neon lights and billboards.

The poem juxtaposes the mundane and the extraordinary, blending everyday moments with cultural references: Giulietta Masina, a famous Italian actress, the mention of Puerto Ricans adding warmth and diversity to the avenue, and the nod to artists and poets like Jackson Pollock and Pierre Reverdy. This mix evokes a sense of urban vitality and transience, where life’s small moments coexist with broader cultural and historical currents.

The poem's tone is reflective and slightly nostalgic, especially in the closing lines where the speaker contemplates mortality ("First Bunny died, then John Latouche, then Jackson Pollock") and the impermanence of places ("the Manhattan Storage Warehouse, which they’ll soon tear down"). The final image of the speaker’s heart in their pocket as they return to work, carrying "Poems by Pierre Reverdy," suggests a deep emotional connection to poetry as a source of solace and meaning amid the city's chaos.

Background and Author Introduction

This poem is by Frank O’Hara, a prominent American poet associated with the New York School. O’Hara’s poetry often captures the immediacy of urban life, blending everyday experiences with artistic and cultural references. His style is conversational, spontaneous, and rich in imagery, reflecting his life as a curator at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and his close relationships with painters and artists of his time.

The poem was written during the mid-20th century, a period of rapid urban growth and cultural change in New York City. O’Hara’s work often celebrates the vibrancy of the city while also acknowledging its complexities and contradictions. His poems are snapshots of moments, emphasizing the beauty found in ordinary experiences.

Educational Value and Learning Points for Children and Students

From this poem, children and students can learn several important lessons:

• Observation Skills: The poem encourages careful observation of surroundings, noticing small details like the colors of cabs, the behavior of people, and the sounds of the city.
• Cultural Awareness: References to different ethnic groups, artists, and cultural icons introduce learners to diversity and the interconnectedness of art and life.
• Sensory Language: The vivid descriptions help students understand how to use sensory details to make writing more engaging.
• Urban Life and Social Context: The poem offers a glimpse into city life, including the working class and artistic communities, fostering empathy and social understanding.
• Poetry Appreciation: Introducing Pierre Reverdy and Jackson Pollock through the poem can spark interest in poetry and modern art.

Practical Applications in Life and Learning

• Creative Writing: Students can practice writing their own poems or descriptive paragraphs based on their daily walks or observations.
• Art Integration: Teachers can combine poetry reading with visual arts lessons, exploring the works of artists mentioned or inspired by the poem’s imagery.
• Cultural Studies: The poem can be a starting point for discussions about urban diversity, history, and cultural contributions.
• Mindfulness and Reflection: Encouraging students to slow down and notice the world around them, fostering mindfulness and appreciation for everyday moments.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What time of day is described in the poem?
2. Name two types of people the speaker observes during the walk.
3. What are some of the sensory details mentioned in the poem?
4. How does the poem describe the neon lights?
5. Who are some of the cultural figures referenced in the poem?
6. What feelings does the speaker express at the end of the poem?
7. Why might the speaker carry "Poems by Pierre Reverdy" in their pocket?
8. How does the poem reflect the diversity of the city?
9. What is the significance of the Manhattan Storage Warehouse in the poem?
10. How does the poem blend everyday life with artistic references?

Answers to Reading Comprehension Questions

1. The poem describes the lunch hour, specifically around 12:40 PM on a Thursday.
2. The speaker observes laborers wearing yellow helmets and a blonde chorus girl, among others.
3. Sensory details include the heat of the sun, the smell and taste of sandwiches and Coca-Cola, the sound of honking cars, and the sight of neon lights and skirts flipping.
4. Neon lights are described as a "great pleasure" even in daylight, highlighting their vividness and impact.
5. Cultural figures mentioned include Giulietta Masina, Federico Fellini, Bunny, John Latouche, Jackson Pollock, and Pierre Reverdy.
6. The speaker expresses a reflective and somewhat nostalgic feeling, contemplating life, death, and the passage of time.
7. Carrying "Poems by Pierre Reverdy" symbolizes the speaker’s emotional connection to poetry as a source of comfort and inspiration.
8. The poem reflects diversity by mentioning Puerto Ricans on the avenue and the mix of different people and cultures in the city.
9. The Manhattan Storage Warehouse represents a place of cultural memory soon to be lost, symbolizing change and impermanence.
10. The poem blends everyday life with artistic references by combining ordinary urban scenes with mentions of famous artists and poets, creating a rich cultural tapestry.

This poem offers a vivid portrait of urban life and artistic sensibility, making it a valuable resource for students to explore language, culture, and personal reflection.