Happy Birthday, Mr. Poe

The room where conceived he The Raven

A desolate, eerie non-haven

He left us a part

Of his own tell-tale heart

Edgar Poe, the dark fiction maven 

Author's Note

Edgar Allan Poe, born January 19, 1809 - 205 years ago today. It is believed that he began work on "The Raven" while living in Philadelphia. I have sat in the room where he supposedly conceived of his masterpiece, and felt the echoes of literary history...

Reviews

[A. Amos]

Nicely crafted words to pay respect to Poe, loved it.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you very much, A. :)

[A. Amos]

You're most welcome and I invite you to check out my work, may be you can educate me with your advise:)

[Kwiksie Ifediora]

wow...i kinda envy you though...
This is lovely and i really love tribute-type pieces.
Nice one Rita. :)

[Rita L. Sev]

There are so many hidden gems here in Philly... :) Thanks, Kwiksie!

[Samuel Dickens]

I hope you don't mind my using a very dated term, but I think this is "cool". As a teen, I was so enthralled with Poe that I memorized "The Bells" to recite before English class, which I did without a glitch. I'd really like to see that room and feel those vibes.

[Rita L. Sev]

Believe me, Sam, it was very cool! We were there for readings of Poe's works, being read or interpreted in different rooms of the house. We heard "The Raven" in that room... and "The Cask of Amontillado" in the basement... :)

[Renée]

I saved the money and bought a book of Poe's stories in the 5th grade…. his darkness was enchanting to me..frightening..yet there was a friendliness in that book… Marvelous Mind and what a treat for you to sit in that room… I agree walls do hold a presence of what was within them… few feel it..but it is there sure as the sun rises ...

[Rita L. Sev]

I read Poe to my students, and am always thrilled to see them read more of his works when we finish...

[Renée]

I don't know how they could resist… ( :

[Sami Khalil]

I love the man , his work , but I hate sadly the way he died. A wonderful poem...:)...................

[Rita L. Sev]

Yes, too young and quite alone. Wonder what he would think of his popularity now? Thanks, Sami!

[Sami Khalil]

He is smiling. He left a legacy of great inspiration to future generations. Bythe way he was fascinated by Middle Eastern culture for he studied the bible and the Koran. He has some books like Arabesque and one or two others he quoted the name from the Koran. You can google...

[Frieda P]

Oh lucky you Rita, he'd be pleased you pen'd your own little gem in his honor....

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Frieda :)

[Marie]

I would love to have been in that room. I can imagine Poe sitting there writin... probably with a quill pen...

[Rita L. Sev]

The legend is that he was writing in that room as his young wife was dying in the room above...

[Lydia Shutter]

I liked the limerick tribute to EAP. Must have been a thrill to sit in that room.....if only the walls could talk! Lydi**

[Rita L. Sev]

They whispered eerily, Lydi... ;) Thanks!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i envy you having sat in that room, he is one of my very dark favorites...I teach the "Cask of Amantillado" in my lit class...

such a tragic man but great writer...and a nice tribute to him here.

[Rita L. Sev]

No visit to Philly is complete without a trip to the Poe House... We were at a series of readings there last year, and "The Cask of Amontillado" was interpreted in the basement... So cool! I read some Poe in class in October... He was indeed a master... Thanks, Jacob.

[Angel]

When you sat in that room, did you feel the echo of the man?

[Rita L. Sev]

It was such a cool experience, Angel. We were there for readings of various works of Poe, hearing "The Raven" in that very room, and "The Cask of Amontillado" in the basement of the house. Yes, you could say that there were ghosts all around... :)

[Angel]

I'll bet it was one helluva experience. I think I'm a tad jealous of you in your historic town...read moreI'll bet it was one helluva experience. I think I'm a tad jealous of you in your historic town...
Ahhh...but it's nearly seventy degrees outside, and I'm sitting on my porch in my shorts with my laptop, enjoying the sunshine...

[Rita L. Sev]

You can't beat Philly for its history... though Boston comes close. :) You get the great weather (40 degrees today; by Tuesday, 22 degrees...) So if you plan a visit to Philadelphia, I suggest the Fourth of July! :)