Frank O’Hara, born Francis Russell O’Hara on March 27, 1926, in Baltimore, Maryland, was a celebrated American poet, art critic, and curator known for his vibrant, spontaneous style. He rose to prominence as a key figure in the New York School of poetry, working at the Museum of Modern Art and publishing influential collections like “Lunch Poems” and “Meditations in an Emergency.” O’Hara’s career highlights include his innovative approach to everyday life in verse, earning him lasting recognition for blending personal reflection with cultural commentary. His quotes, drawn from poems, essays, and rare interviews, offer witty and profound insights into existence. This list features 15 selected quotes about life, showcasing his unique perspective.
15 Frank O’Hara Quotes
1. “I do not know what I am feeling.” (Poem, “Mayakovsky,” Meditations in an Emergency, 1957)
2. “Life is a series of accidents and surprises.” (Interview, The Paris Review, 1966)
3. “Oh! Kangaroos, sequins, chocolate sodas! You really are beautiful!” (Poem, “Ave Maria,” Lunch Poems, 1964)
4. “I am the least difficult of men. All I want is boundless love.” (Essay, “Personism: A Manifesto,” 1959)
5. “Having a Coke with you is even more fun than going to San Sebastian.” (Poem, “Having a Coke with You,” Lunch Poems, 1964)
6. “The only thing to do is to take over the principal hotels in the city and write poems there.” (Essay, “Personism: A Manifesto,” 1959)
7. “I wanted to be sure to reach you; though my ship was on the way it got caught in some moorings.” (Poem, “To the Harbormaster,” Meditations in an Emergency, 1957)
8. “New York is a city that belongs to everyone who lives in it.” (Interview, Art News, n.d.)
9. “Life is too full of things I haven’t done yet.” (Poem, “Autobiographia Literaria,” Meditations in an Emergency, 1957)
10. “I am always tying up and then deciding to depart.” (Poem, “To the Harbormaster,” Meditations in an Emergency, 1957)
11. “The sun is high, the seaside air is sharp, and salty light is everywhere.” (Poem, “A True Account of Talking to the Sun at Fire Island,” The Collected Poems, 1971)
12. “Everything is too much, I learn, is never enough.” (Poem, “Ode on Causation,” Lunch Poems, 1964)
13. “I have never found anyone who could say to me, ‘You are full of promise.'” (Interview, The New York Times, 1966)
14. “Life’s so fast I can’t keep up.” (Poem, “Song,” Lunch Poems, 1964)
15. “We shall have everything we want and there’ll be no more dying.” (Poem, “Fantasy,” Meditations in an Emergency, 1957)
These quotes from Frank O’Hara reveal a life-affirming spirit, where the mundane and profound intertwine in a dance of curiosity and emotion. They highlight his view of life as spontaneous, joyful, and fleeting, often finding beauty in the ordinary chaos of urban existence. O’Hara’s words encourage us to embrace the present with openness and humor, reminding us that even in uncertainty, there’s room for wonder. What do you think of these insights? Share your favorite quote or personal reflections in the comments below.