The True Horror of Poe

A simple musing on the art of one of the greatest writers, Edgar Allen Poe

The True Horror of Poe 

(A Haiku)

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

"Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality."- Edgar Allen Poe 

I often wonder

What did Poe know in dark mind?

Are we the monster?

Author's Note

I wonder if the dark prince of horror would agree with this poem. Anyone up for a seance to find out? Don't be afraid I don't bite...unless I'm hungry. Hehe. Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below and thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

He was a truly dark soul. His own experiences of life certainly reflected in his writing. He had his demons. He was very popular in his day but still attracts a great deal of interest now. The Raven is a stand out. Wonderful work. Yes, he knew the monster within. Not everyone gets a chance to meet their own monsters up close and personal. He did. Thank you Carlos for sharing.

Chris

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Chris for your thoughts on this remarkable writer EAP. The man has influenced generation after generation of writers in their art. Thus is the testament to the greatness of the man himself. Despite his demons and frailties he drew solace from them to paint dark visions in stories and the human monsters that occupied them. One only needs to hear the name Poe and they are totally aware of what the name instantly conjures. One of the highest forms of writing art. Thank you so much Chris for your insight comment on this remarkable writer named Poe.

[Chris Shaw]

His name lives on. Years after his death so many know Poe and what his writing reflects. Thank you Carlos for sharing your own wonderful work. You are such an asset to this site with both your own writing and your thoughtful reviews.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Chris for such kind words. I really feel lucky to be part of this incredible community of such talented writers all around the world. I always strive to pay forward the generosity this place has given me and the work I submit. This is a special community and will remain so as long as each and everyone participates to its growth and reputation. Both in New voices and veteran alike. So being inspired by you and the other wonderful writers here I will continue to pay it forward because there is place here for everyone's art and voice to be heard.

[ranscan]

As you read of his life and experiences, it would seem he was more inward seeking answers to what he saw in the world around him. But perhaps in that lies the trap, for the echo of a thousand wounds waits to warp any understanding that may be found in contemplation.
I have always found the haiku even in modern form, a most difficult vehicle to contain a distillation of thought. This question posed makes an interesting meal of a life and a body of work.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you ranscan for your thoughts on this haiku. Poe's amazing body of work truly speaks for itself and perhaps his thoughts on evil's influence on the human psyche.

[Coyote Poetry]

The great ones, writers, poets, musicians and artists who saw too much. Made them seem mad. Poe, like Stephen King. They see the world with different eyes. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you CP. You hit on something that I believe so much to be true. Writers see the world differently then most people. Like in your work you are able to reflect passion and emotions in the personal moments you write about. You make the reader feel, you just don't tell a story. You make them feel it. Draw out their emotion by empathizing with the moment. There is a pure distinction between telling a story and writing one. Writers are willing to bleed for their art to give it depth and emotion so that it resonates in the reader's heart. Thank you my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree and you are welcome Carlos.

[Sir Robert Robbie Lord ..]

He was the crimson king of everything & nothing before DNA was the world was real murderous now in night or daytime it's just scary very clearly a haiku and I love it thanx, Rob.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Robert for your thoughts on this piece. I could only shudder to imagine if this great writer were alive today what kind of tales and poetry would he create as commentary upon our societal ills and vices. Whether he wrote today or the past I believe his art would last the test of time in any age. Thank you again.

[Sir Robert Robbie Lord Dudley]

News papers of those days were loaded with scandals and unsolved murder cases yes it probably dosnt vary by much but times locally and futurality thank for your review

[Neville]

I would not have wanted to be locked in the same cell as him and that's for sure .. having said that, I hear he was a great guy ..................... N

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Neville for your thoughts. I couldn't stop laughing after I read this because I agreed wholeheartedly with your words. I imagined myself stuck in that cell with him reciting his poetry and short tales and by morning they find me hung in the middle of the cell with Poe still talking. He is truly one of the greatest writers ever but I don't know I he would have made an enjoyable friend to hang out with. I sure as hell know he wouldn't have made a very good wingman.

[Neville]

Now who's larfin :)

[mattavelli]

Hello, Carlos! :)
Like most others around here, Poe is one of my favorites. He spawned genres, dedicating his life to his art, stories and rhythmic rhyme; an inspiration to me, though, as you like to say, he was flawed. Haha
What gloomy dreams might stain the brow of such a man today? Imagine Poe were living now; what do you think he'd say of the cracks within propriety and cracking of society, the downhill stroll of mankind as we flood across this rock? I'm sure he'd hear the earie in the ticking of the clock, as our time of plenty fades, and the doom seeps between our toes.
This is an interesting poem, and I'm pretty sure you're the monster, because your first sentence is off its rock. Haha... A less monstrous mind would have gone with the past tense version of "know", as in, "I often wonder what Poe knew...", but you savaged it, and your choice of preposition, "in", mangled any meaning my meager mind might have managed to find. You're a beast. Haha

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I will gladly accept your critique my friend for it is truly warranted. Though in my defense it was my intent to stay within the parameters of a haiku structure. Sometimes you have to crack a few eggs to cook an omelet but it's never a garentee the end result will be a delicious meal for all. Hahaha. I'm an admirer of Poe's dark mind, for without his art there may very well never have been a Lovecraft. And I do love a bit of Lovecraft since he was one of my childhood writing influences. Despite he too being a flawed man. You are also correct, sir, I am beast, and have the tail to prove it. With that being said....I bid you ado, so quoth the raven, nevermore.

[mattavelli]

"Well, I think this is a delicious omelet", he mumbled, spitting bits of shell out into his napkin, and wondering what he did know in cooked egg.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Hmm. The shells were intentional it adds a bit of grit to the taste. Hehehe.

[mattavelli]

Well, I have nothing nice to say, so I'll quietly make crude gestures. :p

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I accept your crude gestures my friend because it's better to be hated then ignored lol. I kind. I'd rather be ignored lol But I respect your opinion and friendship to ever take offense Matt. Hope all is going well my friend. Thank you again for your thoughts on the work. Poe truly was one of the all time greats. And a master of his genre.

[mattavelli]

Everything is awesome here. I've been taking time to enjoy the details in the world around me. How's life treating you? Also, did you read this poem after you wrote it, to make sure all the words fit your thoughts? Ya, it's been a great summer, but I'm ready for the autumn.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

You're asking me if I read the ramblings of a manic depressive? Do you think I'm crazy? Hell, no, I may glance a few times just to check spelling and commas but I'm not going to read my stuff out of pleasure or joy, this crap is too depressing for me jeez. If I were a professional then perhaps I might put in the monumental effort to reread the content for better clarity. But crazy is gonna crazy, know what I'm saying. Good, it's nice to know you and the family are doing well. Enjoy the rest of your summer.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Surely he let us know that the monsters were always inside of us.
Smart man that Edgar Allan...was.
nice tribute to him...I can feel his telltale heart beating through this senryu.
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Jacob I absolutely concur. He has always pointed us inward to find that the most horrifying monster we should fear is within man itself. Thank you for your always wise thoughts my friend.

[.]

" Without the exquisite horror of their reality"... Every word be it horror or any other kind can't be consumed thoroughly if not experienced. So, may be he experienced certain kind of that horror and may be we, believe in it as we certainly fear to embrace any uncanny, unfamiliar thing, without any personal experience. So the real monster is our fear and we all have that in some form or the other.

I personally believe he had a great capacity of psychological analysis, thus he knew the darkest point of the mind.
A nicely done haiku, thank you for sharing

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Sima for your thoughts on this haiku. This is a thought provoking piece as intended. To spark conversation among writers and admirers of Poe. What level of monster does it make us if we simply think or dream of vile inhumane actions against others but never act upon it? Taking certain enjoyment from our wicked nature without crossing the line? Are we more or less virtuous despite our dark cravings? In the eyes of an insect are we monsters for accidentally or intentionally crushing them? What level of monster are we if we persecute others for not believing in our particular faith to eternal damnation regardless if they are adult or child. These ethical questions are the theme of this piece. I agree with you that fear can play a part but there are other factors as well, such as ignorance, hatred, indifference, even love. We are fallible creatures and what may be virtuous to one may be a sin to another. It is there that lies the moral dilemma of what level of monster are we as individuals. I so enjoy these conundrums which are moral dilemmas that ask of us profound questions of our humanity. Thank you my friend for your thoughts on this ethical puzzle of a haiku.

[.]

Yes, different perspective can be formed if we think differently. If one thing is right in one's perspective, it can be termed as wrong by the other.... And this goes on.... Thank you for sharing all these words

[Ruth]

Awesome :) I particularly like the fact that one can delve into the "dark mind" and whether we are "the monster"...both a string attached together yes but also a separate thought system if the reader wanders through the poetry...clever piece Carlos, I believe Poe not only knew the darkness well and the monster within us all, it was a companion to him. The light is only nurturing if the darkness is also known, in my humble opinion :)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thankyou Ruth for your thoughts on this poem I truly appreciate it. Only a troubled dark mind could give us such visceral haunting tales such as the works of Poe. I believe your assessment is correct he knew much about the monster within us all. That is why his words still hold relevance to this day. I wonder what unwritten art would have been given life had he not succumb to his frailties and tortured mind. I feel we can see the remnants of those tales in the multitude of writers who were inspired by his mastery of words spun into darkness. Thank you so much again for your insightful thoughts.

[John the Baptist]

I have read EAP composed parts of "The Raven" at a hotel in the city where I now live. I have had an affinity for the old boy for years, as he was a fellow Virginian, and his work continues to enthrall many even in this era. I think he did have his demons; a child who shares a bedroom with his dying mother will be haunted in some fashion. Still, from what I understand, the general public of his time loved the type of poetry and fiction he wrote, and as a working author, economics may have played as big a part in his work as did psychology.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

His art is undeniable that is a fact. And I am sure many things haunted this man's soul. But even in darkness can come some of the most sublime beautiful art. And inspire others to their own. Much like Lovecraft who counted Poe as an influence in his own art and an admiration for the man himself. Poe's work will forever stand the test of time because it comes from a mind that spoke with genius behind it. Thank you John for sharing your thoughts on this amazing writer named Poe.