"All the Frank O'Hara types seem to have very little sound stuff going... it's so chatty or something"
- Tom Verlaine
About this Quote
This quote by Tom Verlaine is a critique of the work of poet Frank O'Hara. Verlaine is suggesting that O'Hara's work does not have compound and is too "chatty". He suggests that O'Hara's work is not as significant or deep as it might be. Verlaine is likely referring to O'Hara's use of conversational language and his focus on daily life in his poetry. O'Hara's work is typically viewed as easy going and humorous, however Verlaine is suggesting that it does not have the depth and seriousness of other poets. Verlaine's quote implies that O'Hara's work is too focused on the superficial and lacks the compound of other poets. He is recommending that O'Hara's work is not as meaningful or impactful as it might be. Verlaine's quote is a review of O'Hara's work and a tip that poetry ought to be more than simply "chatty".
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