Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key (1972)

It was definitely nice being back home in Virginia Beach, although I will say I miss the quiet that came with being in Pennsylvania. Now at home,  I wanted to do what I do every year on this day,  celebrate the birth of the great Edgar Allan Poe. This year I chose the underrated 1972 loose adaptation of the Black Cat, Your Vice is a Locked Room and Only I Have the Key.

Plot: Oliviero is a drunk, burned-out writer who amuses himself by hosting orgies and humiliating his wife. When a number of women are murdered in grisly fashion, Oliviero becomes a prime suspect.

This is dungeon one in a long line of "loose" adaptations of Poe's work.  Yet,  this stylized giallo is rather entertaining. This one did drag a bit and seemed longer than it needed to be,  but to me this is offset by the solid performances,  gore, outstanding soundscape, nudity, and cinematography. Plus,  it did actually have interesting dialog and eventually did venture into some of Pos's tale,  which was the goal for the day.  Sure, there is a low body count and it wasn't as eye catching as did of the giallo movies of the era,  but they didn't hurt the movie much.  In the end,  this one is definitely for fans of the genre and a fun film to stream.  Giallo fans should check it out. 

The Pale Blue Eye (2022)

Last night as I was finishing my work Enigma's as a remebrance of Edgar Allan Poe's birthday,  I wanted to watch something Poe related. After since thought,  I decided on the new Netflix release from 2022, The Pale Blue Eye.

Plot: Veteran detective Augustus Landor investigates a series of grisly murders with the help of a young cadet who will eventually go on to become the world-famous author Edgar Allan Poe.

I will admit,  I am a huge fan of everything Poe related, so I may be a touch biased in this review.  For,  me,  this film was a blast to watch.  The tension and atmosphere drew me in right from the start.  Everything in this period piece worked: the set, the cast, the costuming, the cinematography, the acting, and the overall feel was perfect for a mystery/thriller. For me though, as a writer, the scripting was fascinating. The way the script was written and then transferred to the screen never felt forced and everything from the dialog to the presence felt extremely natural and was something that I could see transpiring during that time period. Yes, the movie does run long for today's cookie cutter 90 minute box, which could turn some people off, and the opening sequences do move a bit slow as the characters and storyline develops, but this are the only very minor flaws (for some) that this movie has.  This is a must watch for Poe fans and a movie most mystery/thriller fans should enjoy. 

Enigma's - A Birthday Tribute to Edgar Allan Poe

 

As a fan of horror,  mystery,  and suspense, there is nothing better than a great story.  And,  as a writer,  there is nothing more that I want than to craft a great story.  One of my influences, and reasons why I love these genres is Edgar Allan Poe. His words and storytelling abilities were amazing, which is why they have stood the test of time.  Poe was a flawed man,  but,  the real flaw in his life was that he was taken too soon. Today, on what would have been his 214th birthday,  I have come up with this little poetic tribute to one of my biggest influences and a true genius. 

Enigma's

I stand quietly upon the land,
The vast countenance of oblivion staring into my depths,
Lucid stairways alive at last;
And illicit secrecies surround the silent enigmas once held dear,
Blind but I can see,
Dead but I can breathe,
A final frontier of all that was,
A dismal remnant of what will be,
Random elements twist through the darkness,
Creating life from the impossible,
A lone specimen from the mind of the master,
Edgar whispered; he lost his cat…
…Is it here?

 

Is this hollow existence merely a dream?
A spectral theory rising from a demonic abyss,
Is anyone here?
Can anyone hear me?
No, just the nothingness of decay shrouded by exile,
Trapped by a forgotten paradox once held as truth,
Am I alive?
Or, am dead?
I can feel every sensation, but cannot touch the frigid memories,
Paralyzed inside this void; no one answers my call,
Failed experiments cloud my vision; my secrets remain unseen,
Another string is strung…
… And the cat cries from the wall.

A Night with Edgar Allan Poe

With tomorrow being Halloween, it was nice to see the rain from the weekend clear and allow us to get out. Not knowing what tomorrow will hold, i was able to get tickets to see to something different: ANight with Edgar Allan Poe.

Tonight I had a chance to sit back and watch a tremendous performance by literary historian Rob Velella. During this hour and a half show at Fort Necessity Nation Battlefield, he was able to channel his energy and take us into the life and words of Edgar Allan Poe with a combination of well-known and lesser-known works including Shadow A Parable, The Oblong Box and of course, The Raven. 

This special evening program was held at the Visitor Center at Fort Necessity National Battlefield and the amazing performance drew a packed house. For me, as a huge Poe fan it was nice to see such such a diverse group on hand to learn about the works of one of the greatest authors of all time. Especially in a performance that was both entertaining and informative. 

Velella, who is an independent literary historian and playwright specializing in American literature of the 19th century, created the perfect character and seemed to flow through the material effortlessly. I would highly recommend checking out a performance if you get a chance.

Poe Arts Festival Entry - Darkest Night

As a huge fan of the works of Edgar Allan Poe there are times when I draw on him for inspiration. That was the case with this piece that was done for the POEtry Contest for the Poe Arts Festival. Please check out the video that was made for this contest (just remember, I am a writer not an actor)! #ShowUsYouPoe

Darkest Night

Help me please; protect me, as these shadows close,
Oh, what have I done, cleanse my darkest darkened heart.

The eyes! Stop…no! The eyes!
Staring deep within the bounds of my soul,
Why me, why now, why?
The screams grow louder as the howling winds grow,
Swallow me whole, silence my cries,
Bury me alive, inside these walls; entomb me by your side.

Midnight nears, hear the echoes of bells?
Fetid flesh binds every move; every quiver,
Scarlet tears, sips of blood, the oceans swell,
Your whispers call, heartbeats shiver,
Something is coming, something from the well,
Save me, do not allow me to die alone!

The aging stones hide the illicit deeds,
Your soul removed, impaled by love and despair,
Truths turn to rust; bosoms turn shallow, pale eyes bleed,
For in your lair, scents of lust fill the air,
And empty hearts and dying embers calm my needs,
Hear my pleas, forgive me, and make me whole again.

Years have passed; your pulse has faded,
Memories remain, visions so pure,
The blade upon your neck, an empty sacrifice, long I have waited,
For this day, and every day, for you to open the door,
Sins of flesh, Satan’s touch, and two lives sated,
Together at last, my tomb awaits, finally you call.

At last I hope, my deeds are forgiven,
And you will embrace my darkened soul.

The Poe Arts Festival Poetry Contest

I am going to enter the Poetry Contest for this years Poe Arts Festival coming up in Philadelphia and would like your help in determining what piece I should enter. Below are three (of many) Poe inspired poems, I will be recording one on video for the contest. Comment below and let me know which one I should record for this contest. 

Plus, if you like these, you should check out Walking Before Dawn for more works.

Solitude


It haunts me in times of solitude
A vague whisper of a dream I can almost remember
The lingering warmth of a forgotten touch
I sense it there, in the darkness
In the quiet moments of times I can barely recall
Resting on the limits of my reason
It calls to me, urging me to cry out
Only to have my voice echo into nothingness
It is a history that was written in stone ages ago
And every figure of it has faded away
To leave me here to live in the shadow of a wraith
A vision of what was and a lost wish of what may be
I know it, and I know it is there
It waits for me to discover it once more
To unearth the secrets it holds and find myself
Because without it I am but an undefined impression of possibilities
It becomes me as I have always been a part of it
A promise that has existed since the dawn of thought
A gift inherent in the very fabric of the soul
But it hangs shrouded by the hopes of man
Concealed in ghostly images of all that it should have been
Here in the silence I hear it through the veil of time
And its words reverberate in the core of me
I quiver, though in fear or anticipation I cannot be sure
All my knowledge of it is a spiral of confusion
To reach out, to grasp it, to understand
But it is the phantom that lurks over my shoulder
That dream I can almost touch
It visits the edge of my memories and lines them with silver
It comes to me while I am alone with the past
And its vanishing countenance stays with me

Paradox

I stand quietly upon the land
The lucid doorway alive at last
Blind but I can see
Dead but I can breathe
Random elements twist through dark matter
Creating life from the impossible
A lone specimen from the mind of the master
Edgar called; he lost his cat
Is it here?
Is this hollow existence merely a dream?
A spectral theory rising from veiled dimensions
Anyone here?
Can you hear me?
I wade across the depths
Quantum decay wandering through a forbidden abyss
Trapped by stasis in an unfamiliar world
Alive?
Dead?
Misunderstood?
I can feel every sensation,
But cannot touch the cool spring breeze
Paralyzed inside this void
Memorable yet strange
No one answers
Loneliness abound
Darkness spirals through the hole
Time lost to decades of denial
Failed experiments fill every corner
Another string is strung
… And the cat cries from the wall

Darkest Night

Help me please; protect me, as these shadows close,
Oh, what have I done, cleanse my darkest darkened heart.

The eyes! Stop…no! The eyes!
Staring deep within the bounds of my soul,
Why me, why now, why?
The screams grow louder as the howling winds grow,
Swallow me whole, silence my cries,
Bury me alive, inside these walls; entomb me by your side.

Midnight nears, hear the echoes of bells?
Fetid flesh binds every move; every quiver,
Scarlet tears, sips of blood, the oceans swell,
Your whispers call, heartbeats shiver,
Something is coming, something from the well,
Save me, do not allow me to die alone!

The aging stones hide the illicit deeds,
Your labia removed, impaled by love and despair,
Truths turn to rust; breasts turn shallow, pale eyes bleed,
For in your lair, scents of lust fill the air,
And empty hearts and dying embers calm my needs,
Hear my pleas, forgive me, and make me whole again.

Years have passed; your pulse has faded,
Memories remain, visions so pure,
The blade upon your neck, an empty sacrifice, long I have waited,
For this day, and every day, for you to open the door,
Sins of flesh, Satan’s touch, and two lives sated,
Together at last, my tomb awaits, finally you call.

At last I hope, my deeds are forgiven,
And you will embrace my darkened soul.

Another Look at Hollow Earth

The world is a crazy place, and just one look around will show that science and history are at a crossroad. Many of the scientific or historic items that were once embraced as fact are now slowly being proven to be myths. Water on Mars and the potential that life once existed on the famed red planet are just a couple of items that have made headline news in the past few years (NASA, n.d.). What about here on Earth, do similar hypothesis exist? Absolutely, and one such concept is the potential of life existing inside the planet, or something known as Hollow Earth theory.

For years, skeptics around the world have dismissed this theory as insanity or impossible. After all, geologists study the structural make-up of the planet and have for hundreds of years, and no definitive proof has been discovered to back up this theory.  However, the same thing could have been said about water on Mars until NASA made their announcement in September (Chang, 2015). This discovery definitely changed history, and in many ways, opened the door for more exploration of our own planet and the solar system in search of life.

Why does Hollow Earth sound familiar?

While many in society have probably heard of this theory inside some of the epic science fiction tales crafted by authors such as Jules Verne, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and even Edgar Allen Poe. What most people do not realize is that Hollow Earth theory has actually been debated and researched for generations (Storr, 2014). One look at ancient history will show that there are many accounts recorded on stone tablets from the earliest cultures depicting strange creatures that live inside the Earth. These accounts are not just discussed by historians, scholars such as Plato, Edmond Halley, and Leonard Euler all made suggestions on the possibility that the Earth could be hollow.

Even scientists in this modern era debate topics exactly like this one. Honestly, what do we really know about the planet or Solar System? Most of the facts that are written about in textbooks are theoretical at best, and when challenged, some seem to fall flat. In 2015 alone, multiple laboratories broke long accepted laws of physics with their experiments (Moskowitz, 2015). When you couple those discoveries in physics with the discovery of water on Mars, it should not be a surprise to see that many modern scientists have theorized on the hollow nature of the Earth (Walia, 2013). Of course, like most of the discoveries made by ancient astronaut theorists, the majority of discoveries made outside of government agencies remain far from the mainstream news cycle.

Who is Admiral Byrd and what is in his diary?

No discussion of Hollow Earth theory could be complete without talking about renowned explorer, Admiral Richard Byrd; the first person credited for flying over the North Pole in 1926  (PBS, n.d.). While this was a great achievement, it was what Byrd reportedly wrote about in his diary after one of his explorations, and at times talked about in mostly dismissed interviews that plant the seed that he discovered more than just poles on his many expeditions (UFOman, 2014). Could this be true? Could he have discovered something inside the Earth? According to many, including ancient astronaut theorists, the answer is yes.

Inside his diary, there are claims of a great society full of strange and mysterious beings. In fact, it goes as far as saying that he saw many different creatures and vast technologies that we could only dream of ("Admiral Byrd Diary | Admiral Byrds diary," n.d.). With all of the unexplained ancient cultural achievements, would it be too much to consider that they received help from some type of advanced civilization? This type of thought cannot be easily dismissed when one looks at the ancient societies and their appreciation and reverence of the underworld.

Hitler, Hollow Earth, and the Mayan Calendar.

Hollow Earth theory may still seem like a stretch of the imagination, which would be a valid conclusion since no published map has an entrance outlined in bold. Yet, maps do exist that do show that these openings do exist. Many people have heard the stories about Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party searching for mystical artifacts and occult items during World War 2. However, it was a quest for Hollow Earth that led the German soldiers and scientists to Antarctica during the war and actually creating a map of their discovery (Indigo Society, 2014). Incredibly, this map matches another, more famous, ancient artifact that most people across the globe have at least heard of.

If you compare the German map with the Mayan Calendar, you will see that they almost align perfectly ("Mayan long count," n.d.). Both have multiple openings to the underworld, with the primary openings sitting at the North and South Pole positions, as well as smaller openings that relate to locations such as Brazil, Mammoth Caves, Dero Caves, and the volcanoes in Italy, which are rumored to be openings into this underground region. While this may seem like a theoretical observation, the reality is that some of it would explain the cultural practices, historical artifacts, and God worship in the Mayan civilization (Guillermoprieto, 2013). This visual relationship should also be enough to lend more credibility to those who subscribe to ancient astronaut theory, as many of the historical sights discussed by these researchers sit in and around many of the ancient cultures that demonstrated a still unexplained technological output.

Why not go to the entrances of Hollow Earth to solve the mystery?

With a theory that many believe is crazy, one would think that there would be an easy way to prove the answer. Unfortunately, many obstacles stand in the way of researchers, especially when they attempt to take on some of the more logical questions of this theory. Exploring the major openings, specifically the large alleged entrances at the North and South Poles would be the most obvious. However, that is virtually impossible, with governmental controls and treaties in place to prevent civilian exploration of these areas (United Nations, n.d.). In fact, that United Nations Treaty is one of the only continent-based agreements that have been ratified by every major super-power.

The question that should come to mind is why? Why is it so hard to explore these major entrances and why is it virtually impossible for civilians to explore these regions? Those are great questions, with a simple theoretic answer. With almost every cave system on the continents connected in some way, it would be almost impossible to navigate them with any accuracy, and few if any maps exist to assist in that type of venture. Under the guise of the United Nations, governments prevent civilian exploration and limit access to the potential resources and technologies that have been rumored to exist in Hollow Earth.

More than that, unveiling the truth that a technologically advanced world survives in the depths of our planet could cause catastrophic ripples within major parts of society. Everything from history, to science, and religion could fall into the crosshairs of questioning, and a majority of what was taught throughout the centuries would have to be discounted. Not only would this cause turmoil in these areas, it could also potentially cause mass hysteria across the globe in a world that already has a lack of trust with the governments of the world.

Is it true; is the Earth Hollow?

With such diverse data existing inside the historical and scientific realms of study, it is hard to discount Hollow Earth theory as impossible or insanity. While there is not a ton of concrete evidence floating around for the world to digest on the topic, there is enough to make people wonder. Coupled with the way that it is constantly being proven that what society is being told is not necessarily the truth, and the way governments and organizations suppress knowledge and documents, the idea that the Earth is hollow definitely appears a valid theory, and a potential discovery that could change the world forever.

References

Admiral Byrd Diary | Admiral Byrds diary. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.admiralbyrddiary.com/AdmiralByrdDiary/index.php

Chang, K. (2015, September 28). Mars shows signs of having flowing water, possible niches for life, NASA says. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/29/science/space/mars-life-liquid-water.html?_r=0

Guillermoprieto, A. (2013, August). Secrets of the Maya Otherworld. Retrieved from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/08/sacred-cenotes/guillermoprieto-text

Indigo Society. (2014, April 15). Inner Earth?(South/North Pole). Retrieved from http://indigosociety.com/the-living-earth/inner-earth-south-north-pole-t78754.html

Mayan long count. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://mayan-calendar.com/ancient_longcount.html

Moskowitz, C. (2015, September 9). 2 accelerators find particles that may break known laws of physics. Retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/2-accelerators-find-particles-that-may-break-known-laws-of-physics1/

NASA. (n.d.). Mars, water & life. Retrieved from https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msp98/why.html

NASA. (n.d.). Earth Rise. Retrieved from http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=86453&picture=earth-rise

PBS. (n.d.). The American experience | alone on the ice | people & events | Richard E. Byrd. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/ice/peopleevents/pandeAMEX86.html

Storr, W. (2014, July 13). Hollow Earth Conspiracy theories: the hole truth. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/10961412/Hollow-Earth-conspiracy-theories-the-hole-truth.html

UFOman. (2014, April 19). Admiral Richard E Byrd - Hollow Earth video interview [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzWHqooAJtM

United Nations. (n.d.). Disarmament Treaties Database: Antarctic Treaty. Retrieved from http://disarmament.un.org/treaties/t/antarctic

Walia, A. (2013, August 26). Mind blowing research suggests that Earth could actually be hollow. Retrieved from http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/08/26/mind-blowing-research-suggests-that-earth-could-actually-be-hollow/

The Institute (2017)

Last night, I took some time away from the blog as I was working on my National Poetry Month project, the epic poem Salvation. While that has proven to be extremely challenging, I am on pace to have it finished by the end of the month. To get back into the swing of things, I decided on the 2016 psychological thriller The Institute.

Plot/ In 19th century Baltimore, a girl was stricken with grief from her parents' untimely death voluntarily checks herself into the Rosewood Institute, and is subjected to bizarre and increasingly violent pseudo-scientific experiments in personality modification, brainwashing and mind control; she must escape the clutches of the Rosewood and exact her revenge.

When I saw this one on the shelf, I decided to give it a shot. While it is not a perfect film, it is an atmospheric and entertaining flick that was different than what I expected. There are some positives, as the performances were decent, the storyline interesting, the cinematography solid, and the atmosphere was better than I would have expected. Yes, it did lack some of the horror elements that I expected, the sound quality of the disk was off, and some of the characters felt flat, but those elements did not indeed hamper the end product that fit will into the Victorian aesthetic. In the end, the real horror of this tale is that it is believable in regards to the way patients were treated and experimented on during that era. Sure, this is not a perfect film (although I personally love it, as it matches my writing style), and it is more of a mental trip into days gone by, but it is a movie that fans of period horror pieces should check out. 

The Lighthouse Keeper (2016)

After taking last night away from the blog to nap before driving to North Carolina for the Easter holiday, I figured I would focus tonight’s entry on the last film I watched during the week. That movie is the 2016 Edgar Allan Poe-inspired The Lighthouse Keeper.

Plot/ Marooned on a remote peninsula and haunted by frightening specters, a young man must confront the grotesque denizens of the night, or follow the Lighthouse Keeper's cryptic warning to, always keep a light burning!

There are times when I want to relax and watch the classic horror tales of the past. Filmmaking was so different in the past eras, with the atmosphere and storylines taking center stage instead of the forced effects and gore. That is exactly what I found with this one. Loosely based on the short story by Edgar Allan Poe, this one harkens back to a different time in cinema. While it is not perfect, the storyline is interesting, there are some atmospheric moments, and the direction/cinematography was solid. Yes, some of the performances were flat and uneven, and the ending felt a touch abrupt and forced, but those flaws are minor and do not bring down the film. In the end, if you are a fan of Poe or enjoy movies that make you think instead of relying on effects and gore for entertainment values, this one is for you. Check it out!

The Masque of the Red Death (1964)

After taking a few days off to work on some things at the house and with school, I decided to continue my journey into the mind of Poe. What was the next flick I decided on, the 1964 entry The Masque of the Red Death.

Plot/ A European prince terrorizes the local peasantry while using his castle as a refuge against the Red Death plague that stalks the land.

When you think of Edgar Allan Poe and the cinema, two names should come to mind: Roger Corman and Vincent Price, and this film may be the best adaption the pair completed. Not only was this one of the most technically impressive entries in the series, it may be the most atmospheric. Price is amazing; pulling off one of his greatest and memorable performances, couple that with the memorable cinematography, vivid colors, and a remarkable script adaptation (The Masque of the Red Death and Hop Frog) and this is one of the best horror movies of that era. In the end, this may be one of the greatest and most noteworthy Poe adaptations to grace the big screen. If you have not seen it, you are missing something. Check it out!

Extraordinary Tales (2013)

Having watched Crimson Peak last night, I needed something else to help me focus on my final script project for my film writing class. After some debate with the voices in my head, I decided to venture into the mind of Edgar Allan Poe with the 2013 animated adaption Extraordinary Tales.

Plot/ The film is an animation-accompanied narration of some excerpts of some of the short stories written by Edgar Allan Poe. The movie contains: The Fall of the House of Usher, The Tell Tale Heart, The Facts In the Case Of M. Valdemar, The Pit and The Pendulum, and The Masque of the Red Death.

If you have read this blog, you should already know how I feel about Edgar Allen Poe. Not only was he a genius who set the stage for modern American horror, his influence on both the cinematic and literary community may never truly be matched. Unfortunately, some of his popularity has waned in recent years, as the rise of technology has reduced the amount of kids interested in the classics. While this may not be a perfect adaptation, it is an interesting journey into the mind of the master and some of his epic tales. Complete with a diverse animation backdrop, the segments range from great (The Pit & The Pendulum) to the uneven (The Tell-Tale Heart). Of course, the opinions will vary because of the different styles used. What made this even more intriguing is the group of actors used to bring it to life. Legends such as Roger Corman, Sir Christopher Lee, and Bela Lugosi, were joined by Julian Sands and Guillermo del Toro to create a movie that could easily serve as an introduction to Poe for a new generation of fans. In the end, this one will not be for everyone, but it is an entertaining journey into the macabre visions of a literary genius.

Happy Birthday Edgar - Mortal Fears and Open Wounds

Today is the anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe, and if you are familiar with this blog or me as a person, you would already understand the meaning. In honor of Poe, I decided to write a pastiche of Spirits of the Dead, to commemorate this important day. Poe has always been one of the major influences in my life, and without him, I probably would not write, and without writing, I would definitely be insane.

I

Through darkened days and unknown specters
Mysteries shadow truths inside spiraling emotions-
Empty thoughts, and even stranger dreams, give way
For my mind, realities fade.

II

Stillness overwhelms the vile depths,
   Reverie smothers the calm-but still

The forgotten rise and roam the abyss
   Their hunger stronger than their will
Dreams overthrow the tyrants-solitude unbound
Calmness swallows thy heart: judgments unwound.

III

The gate, sacred seals, horses rise-
And the dead walk with souls despised
Foretold by scripture and desires once lost,
Mortal fears and open wounds survive the crossed-
Blessed implements stained by blood, opened doors,
For the path to salvation rose upon unseen shores
The chasm burns and the pure follow
Forsaken by seraphim set adrift in the shallows.

IV

Words are but verses that shall be composed,
Verses are but visions that must be transposed,
Revelations feed doubts; emptiness breeds fright
Choices wither- and reservations survive, at least for a night.

V

The truths- and the tainted flesh-cannot hide-
The souls of the damned drowned by pride,
Ancient riddles difficult to perceive,
An unfamiliar destiny left for me to conceive-
How this grew-an opportunity or prediction left for naught,
Or worse, a loathsome plague-the white horse forgot.

Sanguine Tears, Scarlet Dreams - A Short Story

After many months of facing the harsh reality trapped within their relationship, Edgar knew the finality of the situation. He could no longer hide from the inevitable. He must face the harsh truth that rested inside the decaying tomb outside Fordham. Although he hated what he was about to undertake, he knew that he must say goodbye to his dearest friend, lovely Virginia. 

Four o’clock, Edgar arrived at the entrance to the cemetery. The frigid winds howling off Long Island Sound sent a chill down his spine. He could feel the emptiness in his soul grow larger as he glanced beyond the grey willows toward the Valentine family crypt in the far corner of the graveyard. He shuddered to think about what lay before him. He loved Virginia with all his heart and her loss was slowly destroying him. 

As he crept toward the tomb, vibrant Virginia raced through his mind. He remembered how 11 years earlier an ancestral storm was spawned by his desire to wed his cousin. True, it was a forbidden love frowned upon by society, but only young Virginia made him feel complete. Her beauty, even at the mere age of 13 when they married was beyond compare, with her pale skin and dark hair flowing down the subtle curves along her cheeks. However, the comfort and understanding of her words made all of the outrage worthwhile. Many could not understand this relationship, as the specter of their shared bloodline blinded reality. For Edgar, who never consummated this relationship with his bride, the blood was not thicker than their bond. 

A life so pure, he thought, how could this damn disease ravage her so? Looking back, it seemed like yesterday when the small trickle of blood flowed from her mouth at the piano. Now, she was but a shell of herself, damaged by the years of consumption that ravaged her frail body. Edgar, too, had suffered with her, turning to cognac and whisky to drown his sorrow as his wife withered away. Not only did her ailment cause mental fatigue, his physical appearance deteriorated, his once flowing hair was now unkempt, his face sunken and scarred from many a fall in a drunken stupor. 

Finally, upon the steps to the vault, Edgar shuttered to face what was inside. Could her week inside this dismal tomb decay her beyond recognition? After a nip of cognac to ease his nerves, he opened the chamber. The crisp aroma of lily overwhelmed him. At that exact moment, his broken heart raced as he saw her lying in wait; her pallid skin stained by the lasting remnants of the sanguine tears, her pale blue eyes reflecting the candlelight. This could not be the end; God would not take her purity. 

He entered, with only the chorus of heartbeats breaking through the silence. Slowly be reached down with his rough hands and caressed her soft cheek. “I am here my love,” he whispered as her lifeless eyes looked through him, piercing his soul. Gently Edgar untied the bow on her flowing lace gown, something he longed to do for so long, but could never muster the courage. Soon, he thought, our bond will be complete. 

The shadows fell across Virginia’s striking face. Edgar thought his heart would stop, his life gasping for one last breath. “Darkness should never touch flesh so pure, consume a life as yet untainted, or steal a soul so loved,” he said as he slowly navigated his way along her slip. He could feel Virginia’s pale eyes guide him through her taut labyrinth. With every shiver, he felt an exciting a new sensation and every curve on her body ignited another flame in his heart. Edgar’s screams echoed throughout the abyss, yet Virginia’s stillness remained steadfast. At last, after 11 long years, their bodies were finally combined as one. 

Edgar fell beside his motionless love, “Darling Virginia, how did we reach this point, why did it have to be you?” His muted beauty spoke no words, as the trail of scarlet tears rained down to her breasts. Edgar realized what he had done. He did not bid farewell to his darling Virginia; he defiled her. He became one of the monsters from his stories, he was destined to survive as the tortured soul buried in the wall. 

Quickly he rose, horrified by what he saw lying before him, his mind petrified. Her magnificence was tainted by an unholy lust. Edgar knew he could not face the world again, he must send himself to Hell. Edgar reached for the candelabra and placed it beneath the vast drapes. His eyes pooled and his heart swelled with regret, as he embraced Virginia for one last time, “I am so sorry my love-- Goodbye!”

Edgar awoke in a sweat, his writing desk cluttered with days of incoherent thoughts, insane prose and empty halves of cognac. “Virginia, why did you leave me, we were meant to be,” he said staring at an empty page, “Damn you Death! You have destroyed all that I am, all that I ever wanted!”

Clarity returned, his quill alive. The words began to flow; It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea, That a maiden there lived whom you may know, By the name of Annabel Lee…

Annabel - An Ode to Poe

Here is another attempt at visual poetry using a stock photo, Lady By the Sea from hauntingvisionsstock.deviantar… and one of my NaPoWriMo works an Ode to Poe - Annabel (NaPoWriMo - Day 23).

I was honored to have this poem be awarded the honor of best original sonnet for the fourth week of National Poetry Writing Month (NoPoWriMo). While it does sit outside the traditional sonnet format, it does match one of Edgar Allan Poe's sonnet format in one of his more famous works. With Poe being a major influence on me and my writing, this recognition means a lot to me. 

Stonehearst Asylum (2014)

After finally finishing all of the available episodes of Agents of SHIELD, I was excited to find something a touch different when I made my latest trip to Family Video. Being a fan of Edgar Allan Poe, I love finding adaptations of his works and grab them whenever I can. That made today’s trip awesome when I found the 2014 entry Stonehearst Asylum (AKA Eliza Graves).

Plot/ A recent medical school grad who takes a position at a mental institution soon finds himself taken with one of his colleagues - though he has no initial idea of a recent, horrifying staffing change.

Being a huge fan of Poe, I had to grab Stonehearst Asylum as soon as I saw it on the shelf. Yes, some of the recent adaptations (even loose ones) have been uneven; I always hold out hope. This movie is one of the better efforts, pulling together the amazing cast into a tight/coherent gothic thriller. The atmosphere works in a manner that keeps the movie suspenseful and dark, the cinematography is sharp, and there are enough intrigue to keep you entertained. Yes, there is a lack of overall humor like in the source story, but that definitely is a small flaw that does not impact the final product. In the end, this is a solid (albeit loose) Poe adaptation and an entertaining flick. If you are like me and love his writing, give it a shot. It is a movie that should be seen.

POE: Project of Evil (2012)

With the NFL Draft finally in the books, I can finally take off my Steelers 101 hat and take a break. While I still have some work to do with a total recap and undrafted rookie profiles, it will be nowhere near the intensity of the past three nights. With some extra time on my hands, I decided to venture into the mind of Poe for my next review. My selection for the evening was Brain Damage Films, POE: Project of Evil (AKA P.O.E. 2) from 2012.

Plot/ In this twisted horror anthology, eight talented Italian directors present their takes on the disturbing tales of Edgar Allan Poe, each in a very personal and modern way. Prepare to experience the terror of POE like never before!

Before I get deep into my review let me start by saying if you are a Poe purest you should stay away from this film. If, like me, you enjoy strange anthologies and love the master of macabre, than you may enjoy this one. Clearly art house cinema, this Italian entry has a lot to like, as it uses the classic Poe tales as a backdrop for surreal journey’s into the macabre. The acting is solid, the cinematography top notch, effects really work. Unfortunately, for many this is not the straightforward horror flick they will expect and much of the incoherent and bizarre interpretations will go over their heads. This one is clearly not for everyone as the combination of violence and nudity sit outside the typical world of Poe. However, in the end, I totally enjoyed it. This was one of the more original films I have seen in some time and one of the more intriguing art house cinema pieces that has made their way onto video store shelves. If you enjoy strangeness and can watch it with an open mind, check it out; it is worth it.

Chronicle of the Raven (2004)

When I am home alone, I often look for obscure flicks to watch. I love the fact that I really do not have to worry about what may pop onto the screen, something that is becoming more important every day as the daughters grow older. Last night I stumbled upon Chronicle of the Raven, better known as Jennifer's Shadow from 2004. 

Plot/  Jennifer Cassi travels to South America to claim the inheritance of her recently deceased twin sister. While there, she contends with her eccentric grandmother, who has damned the family with an ancient curse. Jennifer immediately starts to suffer from scary visions of a sinister raven every time she goes to sleep.

I am always a sucker for movies that may give a nod to Edgar Allan Poe, this one sounded like it may have some of the elements. While it did, with some elements of H.P. Lovecraft thrown in, it was nothing like what I expected. Yes, it is far from perfect, there were some positives. There was some dark gothic atmosphere, the dream sequences worked and the story is interesting. Unfortunately, the execution, the acting and especially the pacing leave a lot to be desired. On top of that, there is a lot of cliche moments inside that really drag it down. In the end, this one has some moments, but could have been a lot better. If you are in the mood for a supernatural themed low-budget movie, you can give it a shot, but be warned, there is nothing memorable.