Ave Maria

“Fringe People” by Kenward Elmsie (1960)

A poem from the same period by one of O’Hara’s contemporaries in the New York School artistic community.

“A Step Away from Them” by Frank O’Hara (1964)

A poem that appeared in the same collection as “Ave Maria” with similar themes exploring cinema and New York street life.

“Edward Hopper's ‘New York Movie’” by Joseph’s Stanton (1989)

A later ekphrastic poem that celebrates cinema and the arts scene in New York, based on the 1939 titular painting by Edward Hopper.

“Lunch Poems: York LGBT History Month” by Amy McCarthy and Rachel Louise Atkin (2017)

In honor of LGBT History Month, a group of writers discuss Frank O’Hara and his influence on “the queer history of 20th century poetry.”

“Faith in a Universe That Doesn’t Care About You” by Inocencio Smith (2019)

An article examining the religious undertones of “Ave Maria” and how the traditional Ave Maria prayer is used to underline the themes of the poem.

“Fast Company: The world of Frank O’Hara” by Dan Chiasson (2008)

A personal perspective on O’Hara’s life and his place in the New York arts scene.