The Poe Toaster

Today is Edgar’s birthday
And the third year in a row
That the famous caped “Poe Toaster”
Has decided not to show.

From 1949 for sure,
And maybe years preceding,
The Toaster visited Poe’s grave,
And not to do some weeding.

With wide-brimmed hat and scarf and cape
To keep his ID hidden,
He’d sneak right up to Edgar’s tomb,
A visit most forbidden.

He used a cane with silver tip
To navigate the ground;
And in the morning, at the site,
The following was found:

A Martell cognac bottle
With its contents halfway filled
And a trio of red roses,
Which helped make the legend build.

In 1998, a note
Explained the torch was passed;
A Toaster “son” would be the one
To hold tradition fast.

On Poe’s 200th birthday, though,
The year 2010,
The Toaster missed his calling
And has not been seen again.

The ritual’s become, alas,
A faded bit of history;
But Edgar Allan Poe fans love
Its enigmatic mystery.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Collins Avatar
March 4, 2012 at 9:47 AM
Truth or fiction?
Bauer Avatar
March 4, 2012 at 10:01 AM
hey kathryn! thanks for all your much-appreciated comments. this is absolutely true and something i've been following for years. pretty cool, huh?
Andresen Avatar
January 21, 2012 at 6:39 AM
This was a pleasant poem Ilene :) - oxox love Anne-Lise
Cochrane Avatar
January 20, 2012 at 8:37 AM
This is a wonderful poem with such a good story to share. And I want to thank you for the nice comment you left on my poem. :) ~K.C.
Bunton Avatar
January 19, 2012 at 5:16 PM
Very Good! maybe someone will take up the mantle one day.
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