Ave Maria

Frank O'Hara

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1964

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Introduction

“Ave Maria”

Originally Published: 1964
Form/Meter: Free verse
Literary Devices: Enjambment, repetition, dropped line breaks, anaphora, consonance, assonance, colloquialism
Central Concern: The speaker implores “Mothers of America” to allow their children the pleasure of going to the movies; metaphorically, the poem promotes the benefits of departure from a sheltering homelife for the “darker joys” and lessons of real-world experiences.
Potential Sensitivity Issues: Christian religious imagery and language; sexual content

Frank O’Hara, Poet

Bio: 1926-1966; a leader of the New York School of poets; grew up in Grafton, MA intending to be a concert pianist; served in WWII; attended Harvard University where he roomed with writer/artist Edward Gorey and chose writing over music; co-founded Cambridge Poets Theatre; worked for the Museum of Modern Art in New York City; gained recognition and critical acclaim after death
Other Works: “Ann Arbor Variations” (1951); “Poem [‘Lana Turner has collapsed!’]” (1964); Lunch Poems (1964)
Awards: National Book Award for Poetry (1972) for The Collected Poems of Frank O’Hara

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