Homage to Pessoa by Frederick Seidel

Homage to Pessoa

 

I once loved. 

I thought I would be loved.

But I wasn't loved.

I wasn't loved for the only reason that matters-

It was not to be.

I unbuttoned my white gloves and stripped each off.

I set aside my gold-knobbed cane. 

I picked up this pen...

And thought how many other men

Had smelled the rose in the bud vase

And lifted a fountain pen, 

And lifted a mountain...

And put the shotgun in their mouth, 

And noticed that their hunting dog was pointing.