The Happiest Day
Edgar Allan Poe * Track #9 On Tamerlane and Other Poems
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Album Tamerlane and Other Poems
The Happiest Day by Edgar Allan Poe
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Edgar Allan PoeAbout
Written in 1827 (the year Poe dropped out of school), the speaker’s inner issues are not directly voiced in this poem. They may be reflecting on the fact that following their passions is costly and may not be worthwhile; or even contemplating suicide. Either way, the message is that the emotional to...
The Happiest Day Annotated
The happiest day—the happiest hour
My sear'd and blighted heart hath
known,
The highest hope of pride and power,
I feel hath flown.
Of power! said I? yes! such I ween
But they have vanish'd long, alas!
The visions of my youth have been—
But let them pass.
And, pride, what have I now with thee?
Another brow may ev'n inherit
The venom thou hast pour'd on me—
Be still, my spirit.
The happiest day—the happiest hour
Mine eyes shall see—have ever seen,
The brightest glance of pride and power,
I feel—have been:
But were that hope of pride and power
Now offer'd with the pain
Ev'n then I felt—that brightest hour
I would not live again:
For on its wing was dark alloy,
And, as it flutter'd—fell
An essence—powerful to destroy
A soul that knew it well.