Poe

...a senryu

Poe

 

 

Thus orphaned, he was.

A master of the macabre.

Of death, foreboding.

Author's Note

I initially thought the pronunciation of "macabre" was three syllables. After looking it up on Google, I learned it is actually two.

Reviews

[Lorry]

The rock and roll poet, before rock and roll existed. Died in a gutter a shadow of his former self, but still writing wonderfully until his death.
Your note about macabre brought back memories of my teacher, who used to shout 'STOP!' every time someone pronounced the re at the end. I think he got carted out one day after having a thrombosis 😀

[Kelly Scheppers]

It is quite deceiving, isn't it? Thanks, Lorry!

[andrew mitchell]

I like to think there is a little Poe in all of us on writing. Nice work Kelly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

If I live to be one hundred, I could never write anything in comparison, but I will raise a glass and toast to his genius! Thank you, Andrew!

[Pete]

indeed he was and born in boston too! good stuff and great timing. love that word 'macabre' - perfect description for his writings ... :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

It's incredible, how one word has come to define his genius. Thanks, Pete!

[barleygirl]

Ah yeah! With a love of freaky writing, "macabre" is a favorite word! Your poem is succinct yet fulsome enuf to match the man's huge reputation! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Kelly Scheppers]

Looking into his eyes makes me wonder what his voice was like, the manner in which he spoke. Thanks so much, Margie! How's the heat there?

[barleygirl]

We are enjoying 90's by day & 60's by night . . . can't ask for much better, plus the freakin' flies are gone now! *smile*

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A 'chilling' portrait of a revered author that perhaps explains, in short pithy verse, his motivations and his flaws.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I believe he was the only poet that actually lived off the profits of his work. A sad life, though. Thank you, John.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes indeed sad. Miss you reading me.

[Neville]

Dont ya just love it or hate it when Google does that to ya... This is a fine example of a perfect 575 senryu ... Timely too..
I have considered trying to pull together a Poeish tribute for Halloween but the thought scares me silly..

[Kelly Scheppers]

It was my intention to wait and post this on Halloween, but...you know how it goes. Thanks, Nev!

[Neville]

always a bloomin pleasure ...

[Relic]

I've heard people pronounce it in three. Ma ca bre the last syllable sounding like bree or bray. Excellent pic to accompany the poem. I recall reading his bio and learning about the suit they found him in that didn't fit him. It's amazing to think they found him the way they did being he was such a master at his craft and would entertain people for decades to come.
I thought of doing a poem about him but always stopped short. Maybe someday.

Great poem, kelly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

When I googled it for a pronunciation, it stated that there were actually two ways of pronouncing it in the English language...one being a two syllable count, (which is what I used) and the other being a three. If you ever do write something on him, please be sure to bring it to my attention. Thanks, Tim!

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I know firsthand the profound impact that losing a parent at a young age can have on a child. To know that Poe lost both parents by the age of three is heartbreaking. It must have devastated him at the core. Then, to lose his adoptive parents, his brother, his wife … grief must have darkened his wings. No wonder he wrote with such black ink.

[Kelly Scheppers]

The grief must have been consuming, perhaps "the bottle" was his only relief. I know the impact that losing a parent at such an impressionable age can have on a child. Thank you for a most compassionate review, Linda!

[Ted Kniffen]

There are so many wonderful things he wrote ... 'The Bells' ... hypnotic in its rhythms. The terrifically scary horror of The Tell Tale Heart & The Cask of Amontillado ... not to mention the creation of the first detective novel with Murder in the Rue Morgue. According to his bio he was the first to attempt to live strictly off his writings.
I like the picture ... just enough madness in the gaze to validate the thought processes that went into his stories. Your poem states what may not be obvious to those who only know ... quote the raven, nevermore ... Poe's writing was the epitome of what horror should be ... macabre is as good a word to describe his stories as any written.

A good write, Kelly. Very good.

[Kelly Scheppers]

The gaze from that picture was everything, and I think the sepia tone likeness of it really helped capture his aura. Thank you, Ted!

[redzone]

Annabel Lee says thank you Kelly... and that heart is still beating and also thanks you... but I’m afraid that pendulum has stopped thankfully a few inches above my belly so I could also say thanks for your Poe Poe(m)... ;0)

[Kelly Scheppers]

It's a thrill seeing you, Curt...thank you!