Poe Fridays: The Raven

This week's fantastic Poe Fridays poem is The Raven. If you haven't read it before, you can find it here. But even if you have read it, why not go back for a re-read ... I'll wait.

This is not only the most recognized Poe poem but I would venture that it is one of the most well-constructed poems of all time. The cadence is perfect, the word choice is inspired and the mounting tension throughout the poem provides for the perfect read-aloud experience.

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door-
Only this, and nothing more."

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;- vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow- sorrow for the lost Lenore-
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me- filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
"'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door-
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;-
This it is, and nothing more."

I'm not sure I've revealed this little tidbit about myself yet but I adore Vincent Price. I love him in his classic horror films and also in his dramatic roles (like my favorite film noir, Laura). And as the most fabulous thing about him is his voice, I leave you on this Halloween Eve with his reading of The Raven.



And for J.T. -- I found the Simpsons version!

For next week's Poe Fridays, let's read the short story William Wilson.

Nevermore,
K