Edgar Allan Poe(m)

[AnIdeasman]

This piece is my attempt at paying homage to Edgar Allan Poe's poem The Raven.


I find myself with grief, so clearly I see that December bleak
And thy name I do remember.

Hither fluttered bird from shutters speaking words of Lenore…
Oh Lenore, maiden who I do long for in that distant Aidenn
Far beyond these earthly shores.

An avian tongue so aptly spoke of thou, flung from breath of fowl,
So ghastly a raven who wandered here from hell or haven
Bringing with it all the grief laden with thy name, Lenore.

What it said still burns me at my core…
Now once more, I find myself thinking of thee as before…
Less the shadow on bust of Pallas just above my chamber door,
Alone once more...

There are no visitors seeking entrance, no smouldering embers
Nor whispers from my corridor…

I fear to hear a raven for that same expression on the face it wore
Is instilled by each curdling call, its impression cannot be cured
By any tome of lore… for I do think you, Lenore.

Even though this bird has long since flown, its presence remains known
And so haunts me of thy memory Lenore. In my study I try to hide from
Those plutonian eyes which shattered my loneliness and left it broken,
But no knowledge can assuage the anguish when the one you love dies….

[ladylilith]

You can't post something like this and not tell me! Surely I get mentor rights to first viewing or something? Lols. I was so excited by the title (mega funnies at what you did there 'Poe(m) indeed! Why haven't I thought of that?!!)

The Raven is such an iconic piece so I admire your guts, your cajones, for using it as a foundation. And you pull it off spectacularly. I really like how you take the story, but make it something seen from a different kind of angle.. More aching and lovelorn rather than something spun of horror or psychosis.

Really well composed, you capture something of that rolling structure from the original, but this is very much in your poetic voice.

Great, great stuff!!

Lily^^

[everhopeful]

I agree with Lily about the bravery in tackling something like this as homage, it's probably one of the most famous and iconic pieces of poetry ever, recognisable for the meter and structure alone, let alone the words, and your take on it manages to stay in tune with the original while bringing a slightly different sense of torment to the speaker.
An excellent closing line as sign off and summation.

[karrie]

This is wonderful!

[AnIdeasman]

Hey thanks a heap guys. Edgar Allan Poe said that the death of a beautiful women is, unquestionably, the most poetical topic. He really compounds that ideology in the Raven, so I really tried to focus on that when writing this. Thanks again for reading and commenting guys! I really appreciate it.

[ladylilith]

Indeed he did say that! One of my favourite quotes!

He also said: 'Science has not yet taught us if madness is or is not the sublimity of the intelligence.'

And I think that still applies! Heh.

[AnIdeasman]

I'm going to have to pull my complete collection of Poe off the shelf and give it another read. They randomly had one of his poems in local tabloid the other day, I forget the name of it but it goes something along the lines of "all that we see and seem is but a dream within a dream". That made my day.

[ladylilith]

That would be 'a dream within a dream' (yep, as simple as that!)

[GMC]

gothic overtones that invite you to draw
closer to the fire while the wind plays havoc with the night
Thank you for this
GMC

[AnIdeasman]

Thank you for reading GMC = ]

[dwells]

Edgar would have been most enthusiastic with this offering AIM. I get the feeling like we saw more of you than Edgar in the closing, cheers!

[AnIdeasman]

thank you dwells = ]

[JohnFeddeler]

this is a captivating retelling of that legendary verse, accessible beyond the shadow of Poe's distinction...

[Dew]

It seemed almost like a rumination of the author on the poem...like Poe is lost within the tale he was telling and experiencing a hypnotic catharsis he cannot escape. It felt like you turned the Raven inside out and revealed Poe's first and last thoughts on it. I truly enjoyed...scruptious. - dew

[LaLunaluss]

one word: splendid!

[AnIdeasman]

Thank you all for reading = ] it really is uplifting !

[allmirth]

You are a brave man and a fine poet, for you pulled it off in spades. A most impressive homage written in a strong poetic voice of your own.

Thanks so much for sharing.
Mirthy

[Zojourn]

WOW! Please accept my applause for this (w)rite. You truly captured the essence of Poe…Fantastically done.

~Z

[Forestdawn]

Wow! AnIdeasman: Edgar Allan, by any other name would still be a Poe. lol. I admire your tribute to one of the best dark writers on record. I find that so many poets here have been inspired by his works (including me) and have written superb pieces in every way possible. Thanks for the great read. absoluely grand. Keep 'em coming.

[AnIdeasman]

Thanks for reading and commenting = ]