Of Poe and Poise

One of my favorite poets of all time is Edgar Allen Poe. A world-renowned author, he writes with such intrigue and his writing holds an element of mystery. His tales of love and loss both heavy and beautiful simultaneously. From songs of his "Lost Lenore" to his lament named "Romance", each work of his evokes a unique air. While some are soft and passionate, others are wrought with fury, pain and grief. It's almost as if Poe lived up to his name. For Poe after all, is about as close to 'poet' as one can be. The first poem that Poe wrote that caught my attention was ''The Raven'', one of his most popular pieces. However, there is one poem in particular I wanted to share with you. Perhaps after reading this, you will see a more hopeful and loving side from Poe that he rarely seems to express.

Romance

BY EDGAR ALLAN POE

Romance, who loves to nod and sing, With drowsy head and folded wing, Among the green leaves as they shake Far down within some shadowy lake, To me a painted paroquet Hath been—a most familiar bird— Taught me my alphabet to say— To lisp my very earliest word While in the wild wood I did lie, A child—with a most knowing eye. Of late, eternal Condor years So shake the very Heaven on high With tumult as they thunder by, I have no time for idle cares Through gazing on the unquiet sky. And when an hour with calmer wings Its down upon my spirit flings— That little time with lyre and rhyme To while away—forbidden things! My heart would feel to be a crime Unless it trembled with the strings.

Poe paints a beautiful picture for us, as he describes the wonder of a child and the transition to that of an adult with a less quiet and intrigued mind. The curiosity of a child and the beauty of them learning words, nature's skies, and the birds that Poe uses so often to speak, are quite adventurous. The tone, the setting, and the thought provocativeness is very well done.

And to think this is only one of many great works by Edgar Allen Poe.

If you liked this poem, then please check out the links below of some of Edgar Allen Poe's other works and compilations.