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Tributes have continued to pour in for Carlo Parcelli (1948–2025), the renowned American poet, thinker, activist, and former Beat Poet Laureate of Maryland (2017–2019), whose death was announced on Thursday.

Parcelli, known for his fearless criticism of Western civilization’s epistemological foundations and his intellectually charged poetic style, left behind a legacy that spanned literature, activism, and critical discourse.

He was remembered by friends and colleagues as a brilliant yet provocative mind.

Dustin Pickering, poet, publisher, and host of World Inkers Network on New York Parrot TV, shared an emotional tribute reflecting on their friendship and Parcelli’s lifelong dedication to literature and inquiry.

“My dear friend, the poet and thinker Carlo Parcelli, passed away. He lived a long time and left a legacy ranging from questioning the epistemological roots of Western civilization to complex Poundian modernism, socialist rants, activism, and narrative poetry,” Pickering wrote.

“He was irascible, gentle, and combative. Talking to him was sometimes tiring but always interesting. He loved literature with a passion and felt badly ignored by the literary community due to his talents and approach.”

Pickering recounted their work together on Foreign Policy Review, where Parcelli’s sharp intellect and unapologetic views often sparked deep debates. “He was informed, combative, and sometimes condescending, but he was an amazing poet and truly inspirational,” he added.

Confirming his death, Deborah Tosun Kilday, founder of the National Beat Poetry Foundation, described Parcelli as one of the most talented and profound artists of his generation.

“As head of the National Beat Poetry Foundation, I have the sad job of announcing the passing of one of the most talented, knowledgeable, and opinionated artists and poets ever to grace our presence,” Kilday said. “Carlo was a vibrant, talented man who studied history throughout his life but also wrote and recited poetry in a Cockney dialect he adored.”

Kilday added that Parcelli and his wife, Rosalie Gancie, were regular attendees at the foundation’s annual Beat Poetry Festival until his health began to decline in 2020. Despite this, he continued to participate in virtual events.

Parcelli was also the founding editor of FlashPoint: A Literary Journal of the Arts and Politics and the author of several poetry collections, including: