Poe

Happy birthday to one of the great poets and writers of any generation, Edgar Allen Poe.

Poe

(Quoth the Raven nevermore  1/19/1809 - 10/7/1849)

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

Into the bleak of dreary night

In somber thought of prose he'd write

Beneath a moon wane grey 

His words composed would forever convey 

Alliterations meant to beguile 

In pensive mood and distinctive style

What nightmares came to him

haunted dreams of melancholic requiem 

Alas, we shall never ever know

That spark of genius in such troubled soul

Did enchanted spirits whisper to him

Revealing secrets most human of sin

Or was it in purpose of reason 

To unlock the madness of villainous treason 

His tales speak to us all 

In a black cat and raven's prophetic call

A writer who was more than his art

An intellectual mind with a telltale heart 

So remember should fear ever grow 

The darkly grim writings of Edgar Allen Poe

Author's Note

My muse Cate covered my eyes and asked me, "Guess whose birthday it is today? Here's a hint...they would be 213 years old!" Now, I knew this was a trick question, but I fell for it anyway and replied, "I thought you women hated being reminded how old you are." That did not sit very well with her, so now she has put me in a time out. So this might be the last piece of submitted writing for the foreseeable future. Anyway, Happy birthday Edgar Allen Poe! You truly were one of the greats.

Reviews

[Red Brick Keshner]

213! Wow. Poe was a lasting early influence. My siblings and I would go through the Fall of the House of Usher as if it were Beetlejuice! Of course there were spoken recitations of Annabel Lee and the Raven. This tribute is a call to one and all. And not only for Poe but for all literature for all time. Thanks for sharing.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly Frederick for sharing your thoughts on this piece. My favorite of Poe's work is an under appreciated piece called Alone. I consider it one of his masterpieces, as well as a gem of a poem. I wrote and released this poem on his birthday as both a fan and admirer of the great writer that is Poe. His art will never be forgotten as long as books and storytellers exist. Thank you again for your comment.

[Red Brick Keshner]

"Alone"
Edgar Allan Poe
(public domain)

From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were—I have not seen
As others saw—I could not bring
My passions from a common spring—
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow—I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone—
And all I lov'd—I lov'd alone—
Then—in my childhood—in the dawn
Of a most stormy life—was drawn
From ev'ry depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still—
From the torrent, or the fountain—
From the red cliff of the mountain—
From the sun that 'round me roll'd
In its autumn tint of gold—
From the lightning in the sky
As it pass'd me flying by—
From the thunder, and the storm—
And the cloud that took the form
(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view—

[cheyenne s garcia]

Loved reading this. Was great! Must I add, Please what do you think of my work?

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Always remember Cheyenne that art is as valuable as the heart that accepts it for its beauty and meaning. When you create from truth and love your words will find a home in the heart of others. Never let other opinions discourage your creativity. Because art is subjective. Some will love it and others will not. Popularity does not reflect the true value of your work. You are a writer, so write and don't do it for anyone else or expectations but your own. For you are already a success by sharing your work with the world. That is a brave thing to do. And only a writer does that. So keep writing and never stop because the world needs to hear our voices from the culture we come from and that defines our art. Because it is rich with beauty.

[Gaia Octavia]

The Pit and the Pendulum is what inspired me to write when I was a child. I thought it was magic how a long-dead man's words could make my stomach hurt with anxiety.

This is a great tribute to Poe! I really enjoyed reading it. "Melancholic requiem" and "Raven's prophetic call" are beautiful lines! There were quite a few. Well done!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Gaia for sharing your thoughts on this tribute to one of the great writers. Poe is an inspiration to many a writer past and present. This was my small attempt to honor the man on his birthday. His influence shall never be forgot. Thank you kindly again.

[duff]

This put a huge smile on my face. I love Poe and you did the man justice. Darkness creeping up the spine throughout. Edge of your seat writing. Great work. I enjoyed this immensely.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much Duff for your comment. I wanted to write a little something in honor of Poe's birthday. I was satisfied with how this composition came together. He truly is one of the great writers of any generation. My favorite work of his is poem called "Alone". I will always be a fan of his craft, and envious of his intellect as well. Thank you again for your comment.

[Gee]

Ashamed to admit I have never read any of Poe or many of the other poetry greats.
Have dabbled with Dickinson, fiddled with Frost but not much elsr.
Enjoyed your words Carlos

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly Gee. Of all his work I would recommend a beautifully rendered poem that truly is an unsung perfect gem of his called "Alone". He was a multifaceted writer who doesn't get enough credit for his many other works that are not of the horror genre. To me "Alone" encapsulates the true heart of Poe and his genius as a writer in general. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts on this poem.

[Gee]

Have posted a wee piece of piffle off the back of this chat :)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I forgot to mention Gee there is no shame in not having read the works of writers past. I totally identify with words. There are many a great writers and poets I have to indulge on their works myself. Some I have made efforts and others I haven't as of yet. I feel that the great writers of the past do provide insight and knowledge to this art form, but I tend to shy away because I don't want to be influenced too much by style and become a pale comparison to them. I want my words to be said in my voice. Plus I tend to prefer newer art from the writers of this community and time. I hope it doesn't make me sound pretentious and above the old artists of the past. I love writing in general but it's just my preference to view today's voices because they tend to resonate more with the current times. But when time permitted I will read an old poets work.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This is sort of a myopic portrayal of EAP. His life experiences gave him good reason to frequent the darker images of his psyche. But it seems to disregard the fact that Poe wrote so much more than horror. His horror is what he is famous for but it belies the character of his genius. His was a truly brilliant mind. He also wrote humor, satire; the first detective story and even fantasy and science fiction. I have an article written by Poe in The Pageant of English Prose that is all about how to properly match the curtains of your home with the carpets and furnishings. It's a great shame he died a pauper's death.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I must preface my reply by saying of all his works his poem "Alone" is by far my favorite. Though recognized for a particular genre of writing, unfortunately, the man was a genius wordsmith and creative in others. I mentioned in a comment below to another exactly what you have stated. As well as my favorite of all his work being a hauntingly beautiful poem of isolation. It truly is shameful such a remarkable artist died the way he did; an ignoble death. And that he had become pigeonholed as a writer after his passing. For as far as I'm concerned he and his art is comparable to Shakespeare. His work touched upon the qualities of our humanity both good and bad, as well as love and hate. He wrote many great works but none so profoundly touching than the experience of loneliness captured in a poem that resonated with me because it spoke to my childhood as well. Though this poem speaks mostly to the popular aspects of his written library in my heart I acknowledge his art in general as sublime. And as a fan and writer there are not enough words to honor, nor elucidate the impact on the writing art form that EAP had as an all time great in the craft. This pithy amateurish poem though sweet does come from a labor of love. Thank you Fabian for sharing your thoughts on this piece, and a mutual admiration for the art that is Poe.

[knighngale]

Hellos, I love your dear heart to Edgar. I love the dark, gloomy, envision, great read! :D

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly Knightngale for your kind words on this poem. I truly appreciate it. I have a couple of gothic type poetry you may enjoy reading. One is my favorite of all my writing. It's called the Serpent and the Holy Man. I also enjoyed writing The Jester. Thank you so much again for taking the time to read this poem.

[Lathen Griffiths]

An enjoyable read Carlos about one of my favourites.

Kind regards

Lathen

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Lathen for your thoughts on this poem. The mind of Poe carries so much mystery it's a wonder we know as much as we do about him. Though I feel there are parts that will forever be elusive to the dear readers of his art. He was not the friendliest of people nor personable to some. But his art is undeniable and captures the imagination of any willing to invest their time to experience his wonder in words. He was a first and last of his kind, as far as his penmanship and imagination. There will never be another Poe. To me he is what encompasses a writer's aspirations toward craft and creativity that we yearn and strive for. The pinnacle of word art.

[JE Falcon]

Well done and thoughtfully written. He is one of my favorites too.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much JE for your comment. A haunting nightmare I have of this icon writer is of me old Withering and dying on my deathbed having a citizen Kane moment saying in my final breath "Poe". Hahaha I so envy his art and incredible writer's mind.

[JE Falcon]

Have you ever read his bio? --- "Immediately after Poe's death, his literary rival Rufus Wilmot Griswold wrote a slanted high-profile obituary under a pseudonym, filled with falsehoods that cast him as a lunatic and a madman, and which described him as a person who "walked the streets, in madness or melancholy, with lips moving in indistinct curses, or with eyes upturned in passionate prayers, (never for himself, for he felt, or professed to feel, that he was already damned)".

The long obituary appeared in the New York Tribune signed "Ludwig" on the day that Poe was buried. It was soon further published throughout the country. The piece began, "Edgar Allan Poe is dead.

[rmarrwrites]

Really enjoyed this! I love Poe but would definitely fear getting inside his head. Can't blame you for the zinger at your muse, I imagine the temptation there was too hard to resist.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly for your comment on this poem. Though I do regret saying what I said to my muse. Sometimes it is wise to stay silent than speak foolish words. My muse has made me regret my choice for these past few months now. I hope she forgives me soon.