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."
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"- here I opened wide the door;-
Darkness there, and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering,
fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore!"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!"-
Merely this, and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice:
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore-
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;-
'Tis the wind and nothing more."
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and
flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed
he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door-
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door-
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore.
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no
craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore-
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning- little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door-
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as "Nevermore."
But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered- not a feather then he fluttered-
Till I scarcely more than muttered, "other friends have flown
before-
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before."
Then the bird said, "Nevermore."
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore-
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of 'Never- nevermore'."
But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and
door;
Then upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore-
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore."
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
Then methought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee- by these angels he
hath sent thee
Respite- respite and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!- prophet still, if bird or
devil!-
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted-
On this home by horror haunted- tell me truly, I implore-
Is there- is there balm in Gilead?- tell me- tell me, I implore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil- prophet still, if bird or
devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us- by that God we both adore-
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Be that word our sign in parting, bird or fiend," I shrieked,
upstarting-
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!- quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my
door!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the
floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted- nevermore!
Leave a guest comment (subject to review)
Comments
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Absolutely Astounding!
From guest Nicole (contact)
I am so glad that my english teacher had instructed us to read this poem! All of Poe's work is amazing and unique. His detail is exquisite, and i admire Poe for his detail in all of his pieces. Although Poe was disturbed and strange, he was one AMAZING writer
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From guest ariana (contact)
does anybody know what inspired him to write this poem?
(perhaps it was a gentle rapping on his chamber door Old Poetry Staff)
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BEST IN WRITING!!
I have to say this is my most favorite piece by Mr. Poe. I have yet to read the rest of his work so I cannot judge if it is his best. -
From guest ELescapade (contact)
Interesting poem. Although Morbid, Poe never fails to add a touch of uniqueness in his written works. -
Been a long time since I read this and it still has the amazing touch of Poe, to create the mood here, so remarkable...PK
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I honestly LOVE this poem so much.
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Love this poem!
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I think I will have to read this poem several times before giving in indepth comment. I will say this though, I am thoroughly impressed and taken back with power, impaaact and mastery of this poem.
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a desturbing poem but i can see that the character was driven mad by the darckness and being alone. we read this poem in my lit. class and i read it when i am alone and feeling well..open minded as i am always. i enjoy the darckness alot but i also enjoy my sanity. i have been known to lose my sanity when i am acctually alone in the "large" house when it is late at night and the only sound i can hear is the beating of my own heart.
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."
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my favorite
From guest Jesse (contact)
i learned this by heart in the second grade, yes i was reading such a morbid thing at that early of an age, he has the most meloncollie outlook and conveys it so perfectly that he still remains one of my favorite and most influential poets and writers -
Simlpy amazing and touched
From guest Christian Kidd (contact)
He done this poem based on his wife who was his 1st or 2nd cuzin her name was virgina. The raven in this poem is the sickness that would not go away in which was his wifes sickness your work means alot to people i'm only 13 but i love you poetry -
Astounding.
Qouth the raven, "Nevermore", is probably one of the most famous lines in literature.
This is probably my favorite poem by Edgar Allan Poe. He may have been disturbed, but he is a brilliant writer...
Simply amazing... -
Just - amazing
From guest Brittany D (contact)
I wish I had liked English class in high school. I would probably have enjoyed all the poetry we learned, including this. Just brilliant! -
One of the most amazing poems ever. Poe is truly a legend in the world of poetry and is one of my favorite writers.
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wow!!
From guest Jenny (contact)
poe is an amazing poet!!!his work is so dark and tormented, yet he's brilliant!!!he is the best!!all i can say is AMAZING!! -
I loved this poem, so much. It's creepy but he is so unique in his style of writing. The man was brilliant.
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Only the best.....
From guest Brandi Reeves (contact)
This is the first poem of Poe's that I ever read. Thanks to this, I became a fan of his, & try to model my poetry after him; if not in style, then in content. He's the best. -
Egar Allan Poe is a Beautiful and Tallented writer
From guest Honey (contact)
I am 100% influenced by every single word that i read upon a poem that Edgar Allan Poe has written, his words have a unique beauty, he can discribe things in such a detailed way. I wish that i could have met him he seems, through his words as though he was a very unique, tallented and extreamly interesting guy. If you feel like you could enlighten me on Edgar Allan Poe, or share with me you poetry or artwork please add me. -
every poem of his i've read and this one has yet to be dismissed from my head.
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From guest Adela (contact)
I love EAPoe!!!!! he's my all time favourite poet! has been from been a little kid!! This is one my favourites!! Such a wonderfully flowing story! Wish I could learn it by heart but it's just too long! xx -
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edgar allen poe is the grezatest
edgar allen poe is the greatest poet that ever lived -
This is beyond the doubt the greatest poem ever written
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i did not understand this poem, can someone help me?
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It's a story.
Poe was a master of the macabre tale and this is one of his stories in Rhyme. Someone is being scared to death.
Just read and enjoy.
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Brilliant... What more can be said...
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Amazing
God, Poe could flow! Seriously, though, the repitition and the fast rhyming communicated the escalating pace of the poem as the subject grew more and more anxious. I thought it was wonderful and I bow down to one of the true masters of poetry. -
Superb
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Inspiring
I love this poem. Not my favorite of all poems, but second on my list. While lovely to read to ones self, I think it is better to read out loud. It is a poem that simply feels good flowing over the tongue.
~Rhiannon~ -
Popular
A great poem, even though it slightly bothers me that it seems to be so popular. It's not the darkest I've read, as to me it seems it has a slight apathy to it, and a comic quality.
The only possible fault I see here is the first line of the second stanza, or line seven, "Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,". It seems to me it would've been a lot better if it read "Ah, distinctly I remember it was late in bleak December,", though if the poem was about a specific event that might be a lie. But this poem is still among my favorites, and might very well be my favorite. -
Captivating and easy to read
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beautiful
I love this poem. It's so elegant, yet at the same time so dark. It is also very like human nature i think. How we become angree at inatament objects, animals, ect. when we feel guilty or when bad things happen. This is why i love Poe, he really captuers the essence of the human dark side. But he does it so elegantly, he doesn't need swear words to portray anger of fear. -
Rhythmic Bliss
I'm currently memorizing this ('m on stanza six).
The Raven, of course, is a highly praised poem here on AP (go figure) but rightly so. What's most masterful about this poem, in my eyes, is its metrical accuracy.
It's not my favorite poem, but I can clearly see why it's a classic. -
Still my favorite
What I love about Edgar Allan Poe's work, especially in this poem is that almost all of them seem to have a dark feeling, even if it is describing something happy it still feels dark. There always seems to be that feeling of death hanging in the air. I can feel this poem, the fire that he is sitting by, I can hear the raven repeating "nevermore" and I can smell the combanation of smoke from the fire and death and lonelyness. -
Masterful
Edger allen Poe is a master mind in himself he is a very mischivious writer telling you a little about himself in everything that writes. This is a very wonderful write. -
omg!!!! I love this poem soooooo much!!!!!
.... It is a genius piece of work!!!!1 I doubt anyone can argue that!!!!! Smooches
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This is my absolute favorite poem. The story compredhendable and the rhyme pattern is incredible. This poem stirrs up so many images in my mind it's incredible. Everything about this poem I just love. Edgar Allan Poe, thank you for this excellent work of poetry that will live on in the hearts of millions even though you are dead.
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how can not anyone not love this poem... Poe is too awesome love <3 the Poe
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Great Writer,Great Poem, Great Philosepher, Great Man. All his other works are equally as good in my book.
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God, this is by far my favorite poem by him. I can just envision everything. Its a true work of art.
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This poem is awesome and it kicks major ass. I was envisioning all of this in whilst I read. This is my favorite poem bu Edgar and one of my favorites overall when it comes to poetry.
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absolutely love this poem
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An absolute classic for sure that I love.
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one of the best poems of all time. such a beautifully written rhythem...so much flow. its soo enjoyable to read with such a smooth beat. instantly popular when he produced it and still is today one of the best acclaimed writes of english. 'quoth the raven never more'...
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I absolutely love this poem! It's definitely one of my all-time favorites! It's creepy and mysterious, and no one can ever come close to the talent that Edgar Allan Poe has. I really wish I could have met him. That would have been so awesome!
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io first read this poem in my school literature book and simply loved it from the start. I love all of Poe's work. he was a amazing writter, and to still be this well known today. I wish to be a writter of him exellance one day which is alot to live up to...
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I first heard this poem on the simpsons halloween special. And this is the best poem ever. THE BEST!! Anyone argues, then they can come see me!
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This by far is my favorite poem ever.
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My favorite!!!
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I <3 it. THE BEST POEM EVERY!!!!!
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MY FAVORITE POEM OF ALL TIME!!!!!
Edited on Dec 13, 8:00 p.m. because 'i wanted to put a smiley on it'. -
this is my favorite of all his peoms. THIS IS BONITA!! i love this poem. it is dark and beautiful at the same time. Edgar Allan Poe is one of my favorite artists. him and tupac. but i love this poem. if he was still alive i would tell him great work!!
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i love it
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This is one of my alltime favorite old poems and is what got me started writing poetry. I love the rhyming and the visual image...he uses a LOT of big confusing words but just the same it is great...It seemed like at the end the devil (raven) had his soul...with the last few lines....
"And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the
floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted- nevermore!"
This and the first few lines:
"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."
Those two are my favorite parts and I cannot believe how long he made this poem....But it is still the best old poem ever in my book
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My absolute favorite poem ever. I love Edgar Allan Poe and I love this poem! So creepy and mysterious and just plain beautiful.
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This poem is simply amazing. I don't see how anyone could possibly dislike it. I really wish I could write like this. I admire all of Poe's work.
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I love this poem. Its one of my favorites. =) I just love the way it rhymes and everything about it.
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Yes, The Raven.. Edgar Allan Poe is such a genuis. I said the same thing on another poets poem I think it was one of Tolkein's. Edgar Allan Poe, was a madman and he was a genuis at the same time. This poem shows us how ingenuis poe was. And I loved "The Tell Tale Heart" That was one of Poe's best works in my opinion. Even thou he has passed, I still worship his poetry because of the great writer that he is!
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I heard this poem two times on the same show yesterday. I geuss many people ike it, but I just like the beat. I have even tried to make my poetry sound like this before. Just not with the dreary theme.
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OH MY GOSH!!!! he is so dark yet so captivating and well i just loove all of his poems!!!
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def. my favorite poem ever!
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This si the first time I ever read this in it's entirety. WOW!! I'm speechless. With a man of my mouth it takes alot!!
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this is my favorite poem its what got me started writing
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this is one of my favorite poems. it is SOOO well written and there is just the most amazing vocabulary and i love the meter and rhymth and rhyming and everything about it. i like the unhappy ending and the whole plot. Edgard Alen Poe is without when of the most spectacular writers of all time!!!
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I love this story/poem also. It just has so much meaning in it. And the way he expressed his words and the words are so powerful and amazing. I love the rhyming too.
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This is one of the greatest poems ever written in my opinion! I have a print out posted up in my room!
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Who honestly doesn't love this poem? The symbols, the poetic devices, the beauty of it, it's just amazing. I'm so glad I had to read it in English...it's just a wonderful poem.
Cassie, huge Edgar Allen Poe fan -
How prophetic this poem must have seemed to him once his dear wife Virginia eventually died. She was of course quite ill during his time of writing and perhaps her illness was the driving force behind this. Incredible so it is, the story itself is a painful one and only now with the benefit of hindsight and history books do we know how painful it must have been for him.
Wonderful story, so poignant but riveting.
~Von~ -
this poem is my friend!!!
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my favorite poem... edgar allan poe shure knew how to write well...
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this is one of my favorite poems.
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i was just studying this poem again recently and remembered why i fell in love with it in the first place. poe really is a master with words, especially in this piece. it conveys such emotion while maintaining a smooth rhythm, rhyme scheme, and including many poetic elements. it's just a great work to examine.
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not only is this my favorite poem by Poe, its my absolute favorite poem ever. I love the rhyme scheme and the descriptions...I dont think anyone but Poe could write something this...
"And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the
floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted- nevermore!"
my favorite phrase...it perfectly sums up the poem and all that poe was trying to get across...
Edited on Aug 08, 6:07 p.m. because ''. -
Wow, my friend suggested this poem to me, and I honestly didn't think I would like it, but I really did! I'm not a big fan of poems as long as this, but this kept me interested. I thought it was kind of funny how, by the end, the narrarator seemed to be going crazy, shouting, carrying on, and the raven sat, calm, saying only one word. And also, I'm amazed at how many words rhyme with "more"!
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I wouldn't claim to be an expert on poetry, but I have read and written a fair amount of it. I think it's very good, but I'm glad you don't gush over it though. To me, it's easy to gush over something once it becomes fashionable to do so. You seem like an intelligent critic. I was hoping you might take a look at some of mine. Thanks!
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The structure, rhyming scheme etc of this is faultless, but I have always failed to see why people gush over it so much. I have read so many other poems that measure up to The Raven with regards to the form and out do it in every other aspect. Maybe it's just not my cup of tea :-) but it has never struck me as a literary masterpiece. It's good, don't get me wrong, just not amazing.
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I love this poem so much, ir's just amazing! My favourtie poem of all time, I have print outs EVERYWHERE! lol I am sad tho lol. love it, thanks AP
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This is my fabourite poem so far. It has such great imagery. I feel like i'm there in that room watching it. It's so dark and beautiful.
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I totally loved this poem, Poe is one of my all time favourite poets. He puts emotion into all his work.
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Wow this was amazing, I had never read anything of Edgar Allan Poe's before so this was the first took me a while to get through it and understand it but it was brilliant
Xxx
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This also my favorite of all time. I also like the tell taled heart.
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I absolutly love Poe's work. This is by far my favorite of his. He is such an amazing writer... If I could have, I'd love to have went back and met him in the past...If only, if only. That would be so awesome. Poe is one of my favorite poets of all time!
Lata
Love
xX_Da Peanut_Oo -
this is basically a ledgend poem i dont believe anyone has not heard of Edgar Allan Poe's poem the raven especially since it once appeared explaining the content in the simpsons whitch probobly has nothing to do with the subject this poem has always inspired me i love this poem it is a landmark of dark poetry actually this poem inspired me not only to write poetry but to write horror poetry this piece is magical and hopefully will be remembered forevermore
teeheehee
*Carrie
Edited on Mar 26, 8:42 p.m. because 'i can'. -
This is my favorite of all time, My favorite poet of all time, And I just told a bunch of fourth graders who were saying they hate poetry to read him and they will definately change their minds. He is so awesome.
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This is my favorite Edgar Allen Poe poem ever written and I, like MxOrpheus hope to memorize it one day. It would make an excellent slam poem. Long live Poe's legacy.
~Tricia
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One of my favorite poems of all time! Edgar Alan Poe was the genius of his time...He was truly a great poet!
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Ahhh...I love this poem. This is my favorite poem of all time! Edgar Allen Poe was a great poet and I admire him. He is an inspiration to many poets and an idol to many others. I truely admire his work and I also love his short stories. I recently read "The Cask of Amontillado" and loved it. Poe is awesome!!
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Poe is my idol... i love this piece.... its demented but it's rather sweet at the same time... i mean... never being able to forget about someone you loved... i mean... come one... who doesnt want that?
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This poem was horrible, it had no flow and was very unoriginal. No im kidding...
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This is one of my favorite poems of Edgar Allan Poe. It is one of the best poems I had ever come across. He is one of my favorite poets.
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It has been quite some time since I last read this poem. It was nice to see that they have some of his work on here, he is deffinitly one of my favorite poets.
-Ash,
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this poem is by far my favorite poem from my all time favorite poet!! this poem is really inspiring. i love this poem!
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My favorite poem of all time. Many applauds to you Edgar Allen Poe. Thanks for writing one of the most loved poems ever.
~Lana
Edited on Dec 20, 11:33 p.m. because ''. -
i wish i could write like this....i need to produce my master work...or atleast try lol
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This is one of my favorite poems from Poe, he is truly an inspiring writer, this is an outstanding poem and is one of Poe's best works, i hope to be at least half as great as poe was one day, but that will be hard to do
~Cordelia~ -
It is my goal to one day memorize this poem. i have bits and pieces down already, but i have yet to put it together. +shrug+ I have time.
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We read this in English class yesterday! I really enjoyed reading this piece, first my teacher had this piece read aloud to us, then she had us draw a picture of what we thought was going on. This piece fascinated me so much, THE RAVEN, is such a famous piece, I am so amazed by Poe's wonderful work, thanks for sharing Mr. Poe, all my wishes for you in your next life...Thanks!
Purplerose
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I haven't read very many of Poe's poems, as I've generally been more interested in his short stories, but like what everyone else here has said, this is easily one of Poe's finest writings, if not the best he ever came up with in his short life. It's a shame his life was one of such sadness at times, but I suppose you could say the by-product of that would be that we've been blessed by such wonderful poetry and stories.
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