One of my favorite albums is Tales of Mystery and Imagination: Edgar Allan Poe by The Alan Parsons Project. It's the debut album from the group which was formed in the mid-70s. At that time it was popular for prog rock groups to put out what were known as "concept albums" in which a central theme would be explored though music. Rick Wakeman from Yes had some good ones and Alan Parsons followed this one with several more. I've always been a fan of Poe and that's what led me to take a chance on the album.I've chosen two of the poems featured on the album for my FreeVerse entry today. Click here to find more FreeVerse selections at Cara's place, Ooh...Books!
To One In Paradise
Thou wast all that to me, love,
For which my soul did pine-
A green isle in the sea, love,
A fountain and a shrine,
All wreathed with fairy fruits and flowers,
And all the flowers were mine.
Ah, dream too bright to last!
Ah, starry Hope! that didst arise
But to be overcast!
A voice from out the Future cries,
"On! on!" - but o'er the Past
(Dim gulf!) my spirit hovering lies
Mute, motionless, aghast!
For, alas! alas! me
The light of Life is o'er!
"no more- no more- no more-"
(Such language holds the solemn sea
To the sands upon the shore)
Shall bloom the thunder-blasted tree
Or the stricken eagle soar!
And all my days are trances,
And all my nightly dreams
Are where they grey eye glances,
And where thy footstep gleams-
In what ethereal dances,
By what eternal streams.
A Dream Within A Dream
Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow
Your are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.
I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep - while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?
A green isle in the sea, love,
A fountain and a shrine,
All wreathed with fairy fruits and flowers,
And all the flowers were mine.
Ah, dream too bright to last!
Ah, starry Hope! that didst arise
But to be overcast!
A voice from out the Future cries,
"On! on!" - but o'er the Past
(Dim gulf!) my spirit hovering lies
Mute, motionless, aghast!
For, alas! alas! me
The light of Life is o'er!
"no more- no more- no more-"
(Such language holds the solemn sea
To the sands upon the shore)
Shall bloom the thunder-blasted tree
Or the stricken eagle soar!
And all my days are trances,
And all my nightly dreams
Are where they grey eye glances,
And where thy footstep gleams-
In what ethereal dances,
By what eternal streams.
A Dream Within A Dream
Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow
Your are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.
I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep - while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?
8 comments:
Awesome post, Kelly! Poe's "A Dream Within A Dream" is my favorite of his poems. I memorized it, I love it so much. Gotta keep these aging brain cells busy. Blessings!!
Great choices Kelly, I especially liked the second poem.
I love Poe! His short stories are my favorite.
OMG! I've only met one person who liked prog rock. Thanks for the education.
Both of these poems are so plaintive! But lovely. How interesting that Poe's poems were picked as the focus of an rock album!
Love Poe's poems. These are favs, typical of his haunting lyrics.
Poe was an interesting choice. My friend Pam in NY got me into the Alan Parson Project in the 70's. I had this album and played it often. Haven't thought of it in years!
quid
I, too, have been a fan of the Alan Parsons Project since the early 70s. This was a terrific resource I used when teaching Poe and the kids loved it. Kids today relate to the music as well as the 70s kids. My students at Hector had fun with Poe's poetry because of Tales of Mystery and Imagination. Glad to find another fan!!!
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