P is for POEtic

 The 2012 National Poetry Month poster, designed by Chin-Yee Lai.

April is national Poetry month. On April 26th, you can participate in Poem in your Pocket. Here is an unique pdf with poems for you to use on that day. Click on a pocket and you will find a poem.  It is about sharing poems throughout the day, this site list ideas. Me, I will do some guerrilla poetry on that day. I am thinking with colorful chalk writing poems in my neighborhood and leaving poems in public. I can think of a few people, who will support and help me ;D

Somerset Studios offered a challenge for their Halloween issue. A challenge to do art inspired by Edgar Allan Poe.  I had no intention of creating a Poe piece.  My daughter came home and said, they were discussing The Raven in class and watched a creepy You Tube video.   She showed me the video and I got thinking about the challenge. I read about Poe's history of losing so many loved ones, turning to alcohol for comfort, and how it instilled further torment. His first published poem was THE RAVEN. It was published in a newspaper called The EVENING MIRROR and we all are familiar with his Lost Lenore.  So, I painted a wine cork black and made Poe. Lenore as the Raven started a huge debate at my house. The college bound son thought it quirky and unique. He said "go with your artistic view."

  Daughter didn't think that was a good idea, "go with the original."   Back and forth they debated my art.  My kids loved the chess piece and Poe. My daughter admitted it was interesting and to send it off for submission.  You know I have read he wrote some really beautiful poems, but no one was interested.  They loved the mystery and macabre of his work. They didn't  want to publish the pretty.  Terrible to think a man that wrote about a raven was pigeon holed. 




 Lenore tilted on this photo, but you get the idea!  You can't tell here, but the back of Poe's face
shows up in the mirror, like an altered faded reflection. It is my favorite part, it looks like a paler, pallid Poe, perhaps his ghost.

I have read people comparing Poe to Stephen King. What do you think?  Do you have a favorite Poe poem? 


Comments

I like it, Ella!
And guerrilla poetry? Think I need a definition on that one.
Ella said…
Hi Alex I did it before. I went out in public and placed poems and took photos. I challenged other poets to do the same. Thanks I will add a link! I'll be by~ Internet was down this morning...augh!
Kay L. Davies said…
I'm not brave (or fast) enough for guerrilla poetry, I'm afraid. I remember when I would have done it, though, and the idea makes me smile.
Do I have a favorite Poe piece? I don't think so. I don't think I ever recovered from seeing "The Fall of the House of Usher" in the 60s. Terrified me.
No, wait, I guess my favorite would have to be the Annabel Lee poem. It's creepy but I like the rhythm of it.
So much for me. LOL
K
Kay L. Davies said…
PS
I love the raven poet pigeon-holed line. LOL
K
Sounds like fun Ella, but doing the A to Z is time consuming and on the 26th am going to see a certain Irish singer at my local theatre,

Enjoy the day,

Yvonne.
Carol Riggs said…
Hi, nice to meet you and your blog! I do like me some Poe; I always liked the creepiness of The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart (though not a poem). I think Lenore as the Raven is definitely quirky and unique!
Sherry Blue Sky said…
I LOVE Lenore as the Raven and bet your piece will win for originality.........love Poe looking so dapper and bright-eyed......yes, always go with your creative side. I love it that your kids CARE about your art. I even resorted to putting poems on facebook to try to lure mine into reading them.....didnt work. Hee hee.
Ella said…
Hi Sherry-Thank you, but the win will be if it gets published. The big win is to get the cover. I don't think this is cover art, but if I am lucky maybe a nod in the back pages I won anyway I look at it. My kids had fun debating and discussing Poe :D This is not something that happens much. They are 7 1/2 yrs apart, same father. Yes, one was a surprise, lol

Carol-Thank you, I felt the same way about yours! You share so much; I will enjoy going back to see all that I have missed! Oh, I can certainly remember the goosebumps of The Tell-Tale Heart.
Thanks ;D

Yvonne-You write poetry every day...enjoy your concert! I will share a few extra poems in your honor :D

Kay-Thank you! ;D I was hoping some one would comment about that, lol
I need to read more of his work, but not when darkness descends...
Thanks Kay! Did Lindy like her oatmeal?!
Laurie Kolp said…
Amazing... I hope you win, Ella.
Ella said…
Laurie I was on your site, while you were on mine, lol
Thank you! I loved your poem :D
Scarlett Clay said…
Leaving poetry on sidewalks and other public places is such a cool idea, I hope you do and take pics! Love Leonore as the Raven, that has a look that totally encompasses the feeling of The Raven to me!
Anonymous said…
I love your blog Ella...especially the description used for describing a poets life. Very nice photos as well. Thank you for sharing.
Susie Clevenger said…
Gorilla poetry is much like the love letters I write and leave places...Have you heard of moreloveletters.com? Check it out sometime.

Poe is my favorite poet. He is the reason I started writing poetry in the first place. Anabel Lee is one of my favorite Poe poems.

Love your art work. I don't have much talent with art. lol
Unknown said…
My son had to read Poe for school and it left him disturbed. I do find it creepy.
Daydreamertoo said…
I haven't read much of his work but, I did like the one he wrote about being by the sea and the woman he loves had died there.
Shame he was labeled and then has to stick with his dark side of writing.
Great collage :)
DEZMOND said…
I don't have a favourite poem of his, but CASK OF AMONTILADO is my fave of his stories.
Margo Berendsen said…
I need to revisit some of Poe's poems, but who could not LOVE the Raven??? It's spooky and beautiful. I could see the comparison between Poe and Stephen King, but.... they are both unique.

I'm a visiting A-Zer and a new follower. That Poetry pocket thing is a neat idea!
Hart Johnson said…
I love Poe's dark poetry (love the art it inspired for you, too). I think Poe and King can be compared in story generation--the Telltale Heart is very much like something King might write. And I suppose King's use of repetion and such in Poe-like... but I think Poe really was a master at cadence and such.
Cheryl Klarich said…
I go for the more upbeat things myself... My daughter Rachael loves Poe, though.

Cool post!!
Ella said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ella said…
Cheryl-I understand! He supposedly did write some beautiful poetry, but no one wanted to hear it. Sad!

Hart-Thank you :D I agree they use similar elements to set the stage. I would have to agree. Poe set the boundary lines pretty damn high!

Margo-I know right! They both are talented, but I do see it, too~
I think I will have to venture out on the 26the and attempt pocket poetry. I will let you know how it goes ;D

Dezzy-I have to go read that one again :D

Bren-Thank you! Yes, that one is a favorite Annabel Lee :D

Clarissa-That is awful...I hope he doesn't have to read Poe again~

Susie-Thank you so much for sharing! I love that Poe got you started~ I will check it out~
Thank you :D

John-Thank you! I am so glad you are part of Poets United! You have a wonderful voice :D

Scarlett-Thank you! I will be brave and take photos, too~
Thank you so much! I love your newsprint on your art...so neat :D