Have you ever read a poem that moved you to tears? That delighted or inspired you? That made you see the world in a new way? That made you understand yourself or someone else better? That made you feel seen or loved?
Those are some of the feelings that A.O. Scott, a New York Times arts critic who writes about literature and ideas, explores in an interactive series on poetry. In each installment, he chooses a poem, analyzes it line by line, and talks about the feelings it evokes.
Take a look, for example, at his article “A Poem That Feels Like a First Date,” in which he unpacks Frank O’Hara’s 1971 poem “Having a Coke With You.”
Mr. Scott begins:
This is a love poem.
It captures the thrill of romantic infatuation, the feeling of being so smitten with someone that spending time in their company is better than anything else you can imagine.
Travel, work, painting, even poetry itself — none of that can hold a candle to the everyday pleasure invoked in the title.
“Having a Coke With You” is breezy and forthright, and also intriguing and elusive.
Reading it is like going on a perfect first date: It makes a beguiling impression, and right away you want to get to know it better.
Scroll through the entire article to get the full interactive experience or listen to this nine-minute podcast in which Mr. Scott talks about why this is one of his favorite poems.
You can also read other installments from this series, such as:
Life Isn’t Perfect. But This Poem Might Be.
I Would Follow This Poem to Hell and Back
I Swear This Poem Didn’t Make Me Cry
Students, read or listen to one of Mr. Scott’s pieces in full. Then tell us:
What did you think of the poem “Having a Coke With You” and Mr. Scott’s analysis of it? Did he point out anything you didn’t notice on your first read, or make you see the work in a new way? What emotions, thoughts, images or memories did the poem evoke for you?
What is one of your favorite poems? Do you remember when and where you first encountered it, and why it spoke to you at that time in your life? What does it mean to you now?
Mr. Scott says that the feeling of “Having a Coke With You” “is the feeling of being loved.” What does your favorite poem feel like to you? What words, lines, images, sounds or other literary techniques evoke those emotions?
What else do you admire about the poem you chose? What does the author do especially well in your opinion?
How much of a role does poetry play in your life in general? Do you read it often or write it yourself? Is it something you turn to for comfort, solace, inspiration or self-expression?
Ada Limón, the current poet laureate of the United States, says that poetry makes you “slow down” and “breathe.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.
Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.
