A Valentine by Edgar Allan Poe

Analyzed by Clinton Bailiff.

A Valentine, such a title makes one think of a lover or even love itself.

A story of love?

Or a lover?

Such a poem has powerful, romantic, and clever elements. The skillful Rhyming and careful placement of words lay out a message. Such as here,

A Valentine-Search narrowly the lines!- they hold a treasure Divine-a tailsman-an amulet That must be worn at heart. Search well the measure-

But there is also something you may not even notice about this poem. It is a hidden message within the words, which I will reveal at the end. To find it you take the first letter of the first line, the second letter of the second line, the third letter of the third line, and so on.

Such a cunning attitude, so clever and slick. This poem has quite that attitude.

From one line, to the next; Shifts are made through dashes. Every time there is a -, there is a shift to the next stanza.

A Valentine- The words- The syllables! Dont forget The trivialest point, or you may lose your labor! Shifts are also in twined with the rhyme scheme. After each pair of rhyming words usually starts a new type of stanza or wording. For example, A Valentine- And yet there is in this no Gordian knot Which one might not undo without a sabre, If one could merely comprehend the plot. Enwritten upon the leaf where now are peering..

Perhaps, a love letter?

After reviewing the poem and glancing at the title once more, one might come to believe that the story is about a lover that he is writing to.

A label, a theme, if given to such a rhyme, such would be love. There is love within this poem, in some ways secretly hidden. Such as this message, as I mentioned earlier that I would reveal at the end Frances Sargent Osgood Which happens to be the name of the narrators Valentine

A Valentine by Edgar Allan Poe

For her this rhyme is penned, whose luminous eyes, Brightly expressive as the twins of Leda, Shall find her own sweet name, that nestling lies Upon the page, enwrapped from every reader. Search narrowly the lines!- they hold a treasure Divine- a talisman- an amulet That must be worn at heart. Search well the measureThe words- the syllables! Do not forget The trivialest point, or you may lose your labor And yet there is in this no Gordian knot Which one might not undo without a sabre, If one could merely comprehend the plot. Enwritten upon the leaf where now are peering Eyes scintillating soul, there lie perdus Three eloquent words oft uttered in the hearing Of poets, by poets- as the name is a poet's, too, Its letters, although naturally lying Like the knight Pinto- Mendez FerdinandoStill form a synonym for Truth- Cease trying! You will not read the riddle, though you do the best you can do.