In Frank O’Hara’s poem, “A Step Away From Them”, O’Hara seems to be taking the reader through visual snapshots of his lunch break walking down the streets of New York City. Reading it, the first image that I visualize in my head is something like this:
This is quite a familiar scene in many parts of the city, especially where I live (Main Street, Queens) in which the streets are constantly under construction and crowded. The descriptions that O’Hara gives, “laborers feed their dirty glistening torsos sandwiches, skirts are flipping above heels and blow up over grates, sign blows smoke over my head, higher the waterfall pours lightly,” conveys a sense of the liveliness of the city as well as its busyness. That rushed feeling for me can only be felt walking on the streets of New York City. Most of the population walk really fast either going to work, getting of work, or like O’Hara, on their way to lunch. Though NYC is famously known for “never sleeping”, making it seem like time is unlimited, it is actually in fact very limited. For me, there is usually a specific location I have in mind when walking in the city. For O’Hara, it is the same as well: walking to get lunch and then walking back to his work place.
During the first sentence, the location with the “hum-colored cabs” led me to think of this:
In a similar way that O’Hara admires NYC, I think of why I like NY. Though the bustling streets are filled with many people, that sense of hurriedness feels comforting and like home. At the same time, many parts of NYC can be completely opposite. Like my hometown in Queens, it feels more rural (in an urban location), where it is the perfect place if you want solitude. The liveliness of the city makes the place unique and filled with a very diverse group of population. The diversity is what I love about New York City. Although there are many places with that similar diversity, there is just nothing like New York.
I think it’s really interesting that you included a picture that encapsulates the image that you saw while reading O’Hara’s Poem “A Step Away From Them.” Your dual feelings about New York City is something that resonates with me. New York City is the best city in the world, but sometimes it is hard to find quiet or comfort in solitude. I love how you see your home in Queens as someplace that can provide solitude in a place as hectic as New York.
I ardently agree with how you understood O’Hare’s lines, “laborers feed their dirty glistening torsos sandwiches, skirts are flipping above heels and blow up over grates, sign blows smoke over my head, higher the waterfall pours lightly”. This line incorporates how, not only diverse the city is but rather now buoyant it is. Just by reading the lines, one will understand why this city is coined to be “the city that never sleeps”, so saying it “conveys a sense of the liveliness of the city” is very correct.
Another good point you made was in saying “Although there are many places with that similar diversity, there is just nothing like New York”. When the stereotypical American is being described, it is never a New Yorker only because New York, throughout history, has been socially forward. In relations to black rights, the womens movement, etc, New York and its liberally forward path ensures its own rank among both diversity and social freedom.
When reading the poems, I felt really similar to how you felt in regards to the city. I had images like the ones you referenced in mind as well with the laborers with their hard hats and the taxi cabs zooming through the city. NYC is a very special place, and there’s a certain feeling that can only emanate from being in this city.
I was able to really relate to the last line you wrote “Although there are many places with that similar diversity, there is just nothing like New York.”
This reminded me of every time I go back home on the weekend and take the LIRR back to Penn, there’s a certain feeling I have when I step off the subway.
It’s a feeling of comfort and that the city is becoming more natural to me. It isn’t as foreign as it was when I used to visit it occasionally with family and friends.
Although I still know nothing about the city, just walking around it and recognizing the street numbers as well as multiple parks ,makes me feel more “At home”.