For Poe: on his 213th birthday (2022)

On this day, dear teacher birthed 

Bostonian wood ov golden bug 

His twanging pines of bells chimed loud 

Crying out by the sounding knell 

Felled by face in oval painting 

Resolving light fluttering bereavement 

Descend! into this maelstrom, 

Panging amidst its flood. 

Bricking in new walls:

Ushering in old floors. 

Flocking t'wart Poe's thoughts 

By ink we thus imbibed, 

The legend born today

Celebrated after life! 

Timeless are these letters, 

O' love, --that Lenore drew, 

Twinkling deep beyond all night 

Casking crimson blues. 

Under rueful river moon 

Paid by a devil's dealer due 

A dream within a dream, 

Alone, the Lighthouse grew. 

Thus, I swipe my pen.

Thus, the darkness flew. 

Spells crawl out 

From this fountained mouth,

These haunting words, inspired by you. 

- Happy Birthday.