Home » Poems » Suzanne Delaney » On the Salutations of Ginsberg To Pessoa and Pessoa's Alvaro To Whitman

Suzanne Delaney | + Follow Poet |

On the Salutations of Ginsberg To Pessoa and Pessoa's Alvaro To Whitman

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Suzanne Delaney.

Every time I read Pessoa I think I'm better than he is Salutations to Fernando Pessoa-Alan Ginsberg Me, the monocled one, with my foppish belted waistcoat, I'm not unworthy of you, Walt, I'm not unworthy of you, my saluting you proves it . . . Salute to Walt Whitman- Fernando Pessoa Here from a place in my heart, I salute you, Female as I am, and unknown, Should I be praising Emily, Plath or Achmatova? But you started it Pessoa! with your Alvaro comparing himself to Whitman, not content to admit to a greatness of your own and now I find dear Mr. Ginsberg confessing to his greatness in epic manner, name dropping from Socrates to Michelangelo admitting faults in the same breath-tracking his enlightenment and if it was written tongue in cheek, I missed it. How I admire the great poets that wade into the mainstream appearing where the greatest wrongs appear, risking even death for their beliefs, celebrated by those who embrace their point of view, but what of the unknown poets in the world; so many whose work is equally astounding, yet unexposed. Musings on every subject known to man, set down in metaphor and rhyme makes me wonder what brings immortal recognition Is it from making a devoted study or from mixing in the right circles? The hallowed halls of academia or is it some -one's tiny jounal of handwritten poems waiting for discovery, the enlightenment of the next century? Poets, don't often, answer to their fame - writing what's inside of them for those to come. Thursday, 06 September, 2001 I wrote this poem one morning (Thursday, 06 September, 2001)after I had read a poem by Alan Ginsberg in the 1995 edition of The Best American Poetry. I had never seen the poem he referred to "Salute to Whitman"by Fernando Pessoa and today when I found it on the web Friday, March 01, 2002, I was suprised to see how similar our opening lines were. Here are current links to the poems mentioned https://issuu.com/hbarbas/docs/1997_salutations_to_pessoa_ginsberg_h_barbas https://modpo2015.wordpress.com/poems-of-note/fernando-pessoa-alvaro-de-campos-salute-to-walt-whitman/

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Gershon Wolf

Date: 12/26/2022 4:18:00 PM

I have just one question: Who was the editor who sneaked Alan Ginsburg into an edition of 'Best Poetry?!' Absolutely laughable. His poetry isn't even as good as Bob Dylan's awful voice! Yeah, yeah, I know. To each his own. ... But, seriously!...

Suzanne Delaney
Date: 12/26/2022 5:08:00 PM

Gershon: I am away from my books at the moment but I will look that info up for you. Yes I thought he had a boastful tone in that poem because there are a lot of Pessoa poems I really love, I found it online… It was the the 1998 edition.Edited by John Hollander and Michael Lehman. Best, SuZ

Sara Kendrick

Date: 11/13/2022 12:15:00 PM

Interesting informative work. I just discovered a poet now deceased by the name of Mary Oliver. I found that I really like her work. Thanks for sharing this work and for stopping by my blog. Sara

Suzanne Delaney
Date: 11/13/2022 1:20:00 PM

I have read some of Mary Oliver’s poems, Sara: She is a very good contemporary poet. Here is a Polish poet to check out- Wislawa Szymborska who won a Nobel Prize. Her poem titled “Hitler’s First Photograph,” is brilliant. https://poets.org/poet/wislawa-szymborska Best. SuZ

Sotto Poet

Date: 11/6/2022 9:53:00 AM

I must confess that the complexity and elegance of the poetry you wrote, Suzanne, has left me speechless. From the beginning to the end, each one of your lovely verses is full of eye-catching metaphors and great diction. Thanks for your uplifting comment on my page.

Suzanne Delaney
Date: 11/13/2022 1:23:00 PM

I belatedly appreciate your kind words on this poem, Lassad: I am going on a Sabbatical (self informed) for 2 months. No more papercrafts just reading and trying new poetry forms. Stay tuned for some possible new poems LOL SuZ

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/30/2022 10:58:00 AM

just read your comment below. So true. the more you write the easier and easier it gets, but I look back sometimes on my really old stuff, much is what I posted here years later, and actually in some ways, I think I have not really gotten any better... just faster.

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 10/18/2022 4:36:00 PM

There are so many unheralded female poets like you allude to, I guess they don't have the same ego to announce their names to an admiring bog ? (hints of Dickinson there) But now I am reading a collection featuring great American female poets, so will have to give them their names too :)

Harry Horsman

Date: 10/15/2022 1:39:00 AM

Wow, Yes indeed, What makes a hit, i believe it is trends and fashion. As an example You Tube. An old Rock 'n' roll session, dated on YT 2013 hits 16500 in his day top of the class. Today some rapper posted his song, September 2022, hits over 1 Billion. So where does that leave poetry? We all love it here, as we are all involved, yet our genre sadly not the trend, so how does one became poet laureate, A scholar perhaps with connections??? Love what you have presented us with today Suzanne.

Joe Maverick

Date: 10/14/2022 10:37:00 PM

It's a breath of fresh air that's the biggest threat To the establishment I'd say.. A bit like the Crown of corona would it be able to take a real Blast.? (That is the question) too much fresh Air is obviously a danger, as I've seen people Miles from anywhere protected.? Against it.? This all must point to a greater unease common To so many, there is no doubt a poem or three To be gleaned..' God bless.'

Jack Horne

Date: 10/12/2022 6:31:00 AM

i must admit i'm not familiar at all with Pessoa or Ginsberg so must read those - lovely tribute here, my friend

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/11/2022 1:02:00 PM

Love this, Suz. I often reflect on something mentioned here in your poem. those of us in modern times who are basically going to remain unknown in history. There are SO many of us poets out here in the world. It's like all the singers trying to get on american Idol or the Voice. And others who do not even GO on social media but quietly write poems in journals. There are so many creative minds JUST as good as the dead poets society . So sad today's poetry world has little room for new poets.

Suzanne Delaney
Date: 10/11/2022 2:19:00 PM

So true, Andrea: Did you notice how long ago I wrote this. I used to put so much more time into study when I first started writing but I’ve found the most important thing is to just write. the more you write, the more it comes. That is why I check out the contests. I haven’t been well this week. A nasty ‘flu and an infected cut on my leg. Will check in with you soon, thanks for your lovely visit. SuZ

Elizabeth Mccann

Date: 10/9/2022 5:42:00 PM

I admit I am astonished by the depth and beauty of your poem. Aside from that, "female as I am, and unknown" is in itself an unforgettable line. Thank you! Elizabeth

Suzanne Delaney
Date: 10/9/2022 7:07:00 PM

Thanks for your wonderful comment, Elizabeth: This was definitely a triggered poem. Some of Fernando Pessoa poems were so beautiful. One of my favs. Starts our, Green as you would have me be. Will have to look it up tomorrow and Soupmail it to you SuZ

Bill Baker

Date: 10/8/2022 10:46:00 PM

Very informative writing, SuZ, thanks for sharing your thoughts and poetry over these years. Write On! my friend. Bill

Suzanne Delaney
Date: 10/9/2022 12:02:00 PM

Thanks Bill: Glad you found it interesting. I love reading these classic poet’s works. Best, SuZ

Michael Tor

Date: 10/6/2022 5:44:00 PM

Love the research you did in this Suzanne and sharing all the pertinent information in its creation. Well done and love your fervor for Writers and dreamers...

Suzanne Delaney
Date: 10/7/2022 11:10:00 AM

Thanks Michael for your always thoughtful comments. Have a good weekend. SuZ

Jeff Kyser

Date: 10/6/2022 3:27:00 PM

Enjoyed this, Suzanne! Just glad I don’t have to wear foppish belted waistcoats!

Suzanne Delaney
Date: 10/7/2022 11:06:00 AM

Yes luckily fashions change, Jeff: Thanks for stopping by and bringing me a smile. SuZ