How to Write an Edgar Allen Poe-m

Now you can write poetry just like your favorite Baltimore boy.

Script (Poem Not Included):

Edgar Allen Poe; everyone’s favorite goth. His twisted, tormented tales of tragedy are still treasured today. You have to admit: there’s something beguiling about the way he could work an quill pen. So, how did he do it? Well, today we’re going to crack the code and write a Poe inspired poe-m of our own.

The recipe for a Poe-like poem has three parts: Common Themes, Common Symbols, and Rhyme Scheme. It is all wrapped up in Historical Context.

Let’s start our outline!

Death is the most obvious common theme in Poe’s poem, since is life was shrouded with it, so it’s unfair to not start there. Lost love, or love in general, is there too… (rip Virginia/Mama Poe is written) And let’s throw in loneliness.

Poe uses nature for a lot of symbols in his poems. It’s really common for him just to go off on how his pain is like a mountain or a hill whatever. But that’s really broad though, so Imma break it down to flora, water, and the sky. He also uses animals and supernatural elements too.

Now he doesn’t commonly stick to one rhyme scheme it seems, so I’m just gonna use ABAB but I might slip out of it one or twice because that seems like unconventional-Poe-y thing to do.

Now review this beautiful chart. Add any more themes that you feel necessary. Now it’s poem time.

Side note: For best results, put on a sad violin compilation, or Evanescence, or any other goth-y thing to solidify yourself in the gothic mood. Write with a quill pen if you can