Poem (Hate Is Only One Of Many Responses)

Hate is only one of many responses
true, hurt and hate go hand in hand
but why be afraid of hate, it is only there
think of filth, is it really awesome
neither is hate
don’t be shy of unkindness, either
it’s cleansing and allows you to be direct
like an arrow that feels something

out and out meanness, too, lets love breathe
you don’t have to fight off getting in too deep
you can always get out if you’re not too scared

an ounce of prevention’s
enough to poison the heart
don’t think of others
until you have thought of yourself, are true

all of these things, if you feel them
will be graced by a certain reluctance
and turn into gold

if felt by me, will be smilingly deflected
by your mysterious concern

Analysis, meaning and summary of Frank O'Hara's poem Poem (Hate Is Only One Of Many Responses)

3 Comments

  1. ea says:

    This is such a great poem; I find myself returning to this poem over and over again through the years. Like I can’t quite grasp it and yet I need it. Especially concerning talented people whose work I admire and yet just absolutely detest on a personal level. Isn’t that weird? I just keep thinking I would start to dislike their work at some point, because I do think that selfish egotists deserve to be disliked and sometimes I don’t return to their work unless by accident.

  2. Devon Smith says:

    i really enjoyed your poem. it taught me a new way of life! thanks alot!!!!!!

  3. Stephanie Chepenguin says:

    I personally think this whole poem just says ‘suck it up people, this is called life, deal with it’. thus why i like it and am taking 20 seconds to write a little comment, so , bye now!

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