Frank O'Hara

1926–1966
Frank O'Hara

Frank O'Hara (1926-1966) brought a refreshing new casualness and spontaneity to poetry, making deliriously funny and surprisingly moving verse out of everyday activities recounted in conversational tones. (What he called his “I do this I do that” poems often featured glimpses of his adored New York City or anecdotes about friends—most of whom were themselves poets or painters.) His brilliant career as a writer and art curator was cut tragically short by a freak dune buggy accident on Fire Island in New York.

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SCHOOL / PERIOD New York School

LIFE SPAN 1926–1966

Frank O'Hara

Biography

Frank O'Hara (1926-1966) brought a refreshing new casualness and spontaneity to poetry, making deliriously funny and surprisingly moving verse out of everyday activities recounted in conversational tones. (What he called his “I do this I do that” poems often featured glimpses of his adored New York City or anecdotes about friends—most of whom were themselves poets or painters.) His brilliant career as a writer and art curator . . .

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Originally appeared in Poetry magazine.

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