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01-16-2025 10:02 AM - edited 01-16-2025 10:06 AM
January is a good month to celebrate the contributions of one of America's most influential and fascinating writers.
Edgar Allan Poe, January 19, 1809- October 7, 1849
Another great writer, who accomplished so much in his short lifespan of 40 years, despite addictions and setbacks of all kinds. His words, images, and stories have seeped into the culture, of even the unreading public.
"All that we see, or seem, is but a dream within a dream."
"We loved with a love that was more than love."
"Quoth the raven: Nevermore!"
Sometime in the late 1930's, a mysterious cloaked visitor began a midnight pilgrimage to Poe's grave in Baltimore every year on his birthday, January 19. He would leave a partially emptied bottle of cognac, and 3 red roses in a specific configuration.
The roses were said to commemorate Poe himself, his adored young wife Virginia Poe, and his mother-in-law, Maria Clemm.
Virginia Poe--
Later, the media would coin the term for the cemetery habitue, "The Poe Toaster", but that seems too limiting. To me, he's "the Visitor".
There are two markers for Poe in the cemetery. This is the original--
For decades, the visitor managed to slip into what was once the old churchyard and cemetery of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, pay his respects, and slip out in the chilly and dark wee hours.
The visitor was caught on camera--
He'd occasionally be glimpsed, with his overcoat, white scarf and cane, but a hood or hat would obscure his face. He sought secrecy. Jeff Jerome, former curator of the Poe House and Museum, began watching for him in the 1970's. Others came. Occasional notes would be left.
In the 90's a note explained that "the torch would be passed". In 1999, a note promised that "a son" would continue the tradition.
Finally, in January of 2009, the visits ended, significantly on Poe's bicentennial year.
While there was a man in his 90's who later came forward and claimed to be the visitor, his story was found to have inaccuracies and he finally admitted he had not made the visits.
A wonderful tradition, worthy of a Poe story itself! The various "official" groups and committees who want to re-institute the phenomenon, miss the point, I believe. The passion and initiative of the lonely visitor cannot be duplicated by committee.
01-16-2025 10:23 AM
Thanks Oznell.
Yes, we loved with a love that was more than love - my late husband and I!
01-16-2025 11:15 AM
01-16-2025 11:26 AM
oh @Oznell ...I grew up about 3 miles from that area and I had relatives who lived right there in Fells Point on Shakespeare St in Baltimore City. Every Halloween it was a big deal to hang around the Poe gravesite. Of course, we were teens and it was usually a dare. Our football team, the Baltimore Ravens was named for Poe's poem, The Raven.
Love me some Baltimore City🐦⬛
Thank you for the reminder!
01-16-2025 12:17 PM
@Puzzle Piece , what a beautiful description of your relationship!
@just bee , whoa, talk about setting a mood! I'm usually in a Poe mood early in the month. When winter doldrums after Christmas set in, I used to look forward to reading about the sneaky Poe visitor making another yearly "raid" with his roses and cognac. Miss that now, but still like to tip the hat to Mr. Poe...
@bmorechick , how neat to live that close and get to be right at the spot-- it might have been scarier at Hallowe'en than in the dead of January! That graveyard must be amazing-- apparently there are a number of famous, historical people buried there, but of them all, Poe has been the focus of so much national, and even international attention.
01-16-2025 12:30 PM
I too love Poe's writing and read him consistently in my youth and onward. I still find fascination in his writing. He's a writer I like to hold while reading so I still have a hard copy of his works.
01-16-2025 12:36 PM
What a wonderful informative story, Oznell. I honor Edgar Allan Poe and his genius in the literary field. I did see his home at Baltimore where he lived for a while. Unfortunately at the time it was closed but exciting to see a place Poe lived at and created his stories.
So many movies have been made from his books, Vincent Price in most of them. Of course reading Poe's works is far above but being a horror fan, I appreciated the movies. Thanks for the interesting story of the visitor!!!!!!!
01-16-2025 03:46 PM
I read all of Edgar Allan Poe's stories and poems when I was a young girl, and of course, watched many of the movies with Vincent Price, some quite scary like the Pit and the Pendulum.
A few years back there was a very interesting fiction movie about Poe that tried to interpret his last days on earth--it was called The Raven.
I have visited his house in Baltimore--tiny, narrow, and not in the best neighborhood, as well as his grave, a bit crowded in the small churchyard.
We also have a Poe house here in Philly that is free to visit, although it is being restored right now.
01-16-2025 03:48 PM - edited 01-16-2025 03:49 PM
Poe means a lot to the people of Baltimore, to give our football team a name for him was quite an honor in my book !! Love our Ravens !!! There are streets named after him as well, Poe Ave was in my neighborhood growing up.
01-16-2025 06:09 PM
@Shelbelle yes he sure does! There are several Poe events this January and early February going on. I may have to ride home and catch one with sisters on a weekend.
Go Ravens on Sunday 1/19. If the weather holds we will be at the Green Turtle Ravens Roost on 116th st in OC. If not, home in front of the big screen. Enjoy my fellow Hon 💜
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