Saturday, January 19, 2008

Nevermore? Never.















How many times I've sifted through your writings for ideas,
a spark of inspiration, I could never hope to count.

Happy birthday, Edgar Allan Poe. Ah, here we are -

I cannot, for my soul, remember how, when, or even precisely where, I first became acquainted with the lady Ligeia. Long years have since elapsed, and my memory is feeble through much suffering. Or, perhaps, I cannot now bring these points to mind, because, in truth, the character of my beloved, her rare learning, her singular yet placid cast of beauty, and the thrilling and enthralling eloquence of her low musical language, made their way into my heart by paces so steadily and stealthily progressive that they have been unnoticed and unknown. Yet I believe -
- huh? No, seriously, why are you still here? Go read his stuff. Now.
Don't make me post another one of my poems.

33 comments:

Blank said...

He has never gotten the credit he has coming to him.

Frederick said...

Right away, sir. It's hard to keep track of birthdays without myspace reminders...

Betty Carlson said...

I see a sharp connection between your musical and literary tastes here.

Mary Ellen said...

What? You're giving us homework now????

Sheeesh.

Randal Graves said...

SWB, I concur with much wholeheartedness.

frederick, well that was easy. Go send me the head of Dick Cheney. Now.

betty, I do indeed love the bright, joyful side of life!

ME, watch that smart mouth young lady, or you'll have to stay after school!

Freida Bee said...

I actually bought the book. I am a good girl, ME.

Darn. You get to stay after school. I need to re-evaluate my strategy! Wait, I don't have one.

Maybe a little Poe can help me. It seems he had it goin' on real sweet-like.

Candace said...

But we LIKE your poems!

Mary Ellen said...

Fine Randal...here's the poem I read. I was a little disappointed because I thought it was about "Happy Hour", which is about the best time in the whole day...but Poe ruined it.

The happiest day -- the happiest hour
My sear'd and blighted heart hath known,
The highest hope of pride and power,
I feel hath flown.

Of power! said I? yes! such I ween;
But they have vanish'd long, alas!
The visions of my youth have been-
But let them pass.

And, pride, what have I now with thee?
Another brow may even inherit
The venom thou hast pour'd on me
Be still, my spirit!

The happiest day -- the happiest hour
Mine eyes shall see -- have ever seen,
The brightest glance of pride and power,
I feel- have been:

But were that hope of pride and power
Now offer'd with the pain
Even then I felt -- that brightest hour
I would not live again:

For on its wing was dark alloy,
And, as it flutter'd -- fell
An essence -- powerful to destroy
A soul that knew it well.


Pffft. Nothin' about a Manhattan or Scotch on the rocks.

Fran said...

Poe- really really good. Many years ago a good friend of mine was in law school at Univ of VA. I got to see what was once Poe's room.

Randal Graves said...

Freida Bee, you can always stay after school.

Candace, I think you stole some of ME's stash!

ME, I don't know, those lines sound like feelings that could bubble up from the bottom of a glass of some sort of spirits, no?

Fran, now that would've been neat. I'm sure they'll tear it down at some point to build a parking lot.

Madam Z said...

Ah, Poe
Dark and deep
Don't read his books
Before you sleep

Tom Harper said...

Happy Birthday Edgar. I haven't read much of him; just a few assignments from high school English classes. But he could sure conjure up the eerie and macabre.

Who Hijacked Our Country

B said...

Happy Birthday to the great Poe! Yes, when I was reading this excerpt you provide, I couldn't help but feel compelled to pull down my book of some of Poe's poetry and writing and reread some of it!

Hope you are well, Randal!!

Dr. Zaius said...

His contemporary, Ambrose Bierce, is worth a peek as well.

Randal Graves said...

madam z, no, that's the best time to read him!

Tom, here's your chance to rectify that!

b, glad to hear that! Why am I adding exclamation points! I am sad for the Packer loss, but thank you for asking!

Dr. Zaius, you are indeed correct!

La Belette Rouge said...

I hate to be a name dropper, but I met his grandson--Gregory Poe. He now owns stores in Japan--umm, he's big in Japan(80's song refference.

I always enjoy your birthday tributes. Merci, LBR

Randal Graves said...

Really? That's pretty neat! Is he turning Japanese? (figured I'd match your song reference with one of my own) ;-)

Anonymous said...

Geez, with the stuff Poe covered and given the way he died, was any birthday of his ever happy? Great stuff though. I have to go back and do some re-reading.

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