A Season for Poe
by Cynthia E. Jones

October, 2003

'The leaves will begin their descend, as the wind
wails through the trees, reminding us, it's season's end...'

It is October and the ninth day of Fall.  Autumn is brisk, bringing the perfect kind of evenings for a chiller of a tale.  There is something about October that reminds me of Edgar Allen Poe and his tales of the dark places in his mind.  Maybe it's the pumpkins we light and sit along our step to ward off the evil that may pass by on All Hollow's Eve.  It could be that I have become accustom to ghost stories and haunts during this time of year.  It is a season celebrated, with different views on faith and the after life. In my part of the world, it is a season when life becomes dormant and prepares for the winter to come. While you cradle something warm in your hands, let's share one man's season.

My copy of 'The Poe Reader' was found at Barnes&Noble located in Erie, PA. Isn't that just perfect? I searched online for a book store that carried the same title. My exact copy was not found. However, I did find 'The Tales of Poe'. There are many titles available with an assortment of his writings. I am positive you will find one perfect for you. In The Poe Reader I found his writings divided into sections containing 4 Tales of Deduction, 7 Satires & Occasional Writings, 7 Tales of the Imagination, 9 Poems including 'The Raven' and 'Lenore'. 'The Rationale of Verse' provides informative tips on creating verse. Crowning words for any writer, beginner or established. To name a few of the titles listed in this book are 'The Mystery of Marie Roget', 'Diddlings', 'Berenice' and 'Ligeia'. Also included are the following Tales of Suspense which are perfectly suitable for any October evening in partnership of course with Poe's dark and elusive poetry.

• Tales of Suspense

• The Black Cat
• The Fall of the House of Usher
• The Pit and the Pendulum
• The Masque of the Red Death
• The Cask of Amontillado
• The Tell-Tale Hear
• Hop-Frog
• King Pest

My fascination did not begin by opening 'The Poe Reader'. His dark writings were introduced to me long ago and opened my own Pandora's box for this style of writing. Poe and his words have aspired me and my desire to write, his movement so impelled mine. In search of more information about my life long impetus, I found the Poe Museum online with the following facts.

• Facts about Edgar Allen Poe

• He was born January 18, 1809
• His Mother died when he was 3 years old.
• He was raised by a wealthy family but lived a poor life.
• He served 2 years in the United States Army.
• He attended the U.S. Military Academy West Point.
• He married his cousin.

His death is a bizarre tale similar to his art. During a train trip from Virginia to New York, Poe left the train for no apparent reason and was lost for approximately one week. When Poe was finally found he was severely ill and taken to the hospital where he died. He was 40 years old.

Sadly, a season's end.