Edgar Allan Poe's Mysterious Grave Visitor | Random Thursdays 

“Everyone respected the mystery”, that was perfect.

5:45 "because there's no way that guy would be as interesting as the fact that nobody knows who he is" well said

An excellent presentation and so telling of how much our culture has changed and not for the better. On the other hand, I imagine there is some cemetery grounds keeper who has learned to savor reading Poe while sipping Cognac. What a lucky chap he.

Theory: Poe didn't die. The toaster is Poe toasting the success he achieved in death that eluded him in life. Hey, you asked.

Dig the random Thursdays just as much as the Monday posts. Really appreciate all the work you put into these Joe. Thanks for the insight and entertainment.

Suggestion: have you ever heard of mr eternity? There was a man in Sydney Australia that, after returning from the war, wanted to do something for his city and reach out to people that need a little pick me up. So, he began writing the word ‘Eternity’ on the footpaths all over the city. For hours every day he would do it and for the longest time no one knew who he was. It later came out who he was and books have been written about him, and eternity became the theme for the turn of the millennium celebrations in Australia. Just thought it’d make a good video. Thanks for all you do, keep it up.

I truly enjoyed this! I've seen so many youtube videos on Poe that contain errors and outright fabrications but this one is right on! Thanks for putting forth accurate information about the Poe Toaster and I appreciate your comments. Good job! Jeff Jerome, Curator Emeritus, Poe House and Museum.

thought this would be about someone leaving toasters at his grave, you know, to make toast with...... I'm an idiot.

Theory: Poe Toaster is moving backward in time. That’s why he appears to be a younger man at the end and then stops arriving.

Somebody was leaving free brandy lying around ??? And you tell me this NOW !!!

My Cask of Amontillado brings all the boys to the catacombs And they're like "You're entombing us alive" Damn right, I'm entombing you alive I could free you But I'm entombing you alive.

Who dat Poe bro doe?

Joe I memorized the poem as a teen as well. I still love it. I also memorized Anabelle Lee. Thanks for your interpretation it was lovely. Stay safe during this crazy epidemic.

I'm from Baltimore, and I approve of this message.

I best it's some relative who traced his lineage randomly one day and found out Poe was his 4th great uncle or something.

Big respect for mentioning " that Mitchell and Webb look". These guys are true masters of comedy.

Oh man, I recited that poem along with you at the beginning, I didn't even realize I still knew it! I felt genuinely sad when the 'Poe Toaster' tradition ended, it felt like such a nice wholesome thing.

I love Poe, when I was in high school I read as much of his work that I could find. Because of Poe I wanted to be a writer or a journalist. I wanted to work with words. I was captivated by how he wrote. I wanted my words to dance like his words. I then had a really crappy English teacher that gave me a F for plagiarizing a paper. I worked extremely hard on that paper, it cut me to my soul to have a teacher, let along a teacher of English outright accuse me of cheating. I tried talking to the teacher and she wouldn’t even entertain the idea that I had been honest. I called my mom who saw me researching and watched me type out my paper on our ancient family computer. (This was late 80s). As I wrote my paper I had asked my mom to proof read to catch spelling or grammatical errors. She knew without a doubt I hadn’t copied anything. She saw my endless notes on papers, my scribbles and arrows as I rearranged words and sentences. She watched as I sat down in front of that large grey monitor, typing and deleting and typing some more. Hours passed by as my words turned into text. She knew there was no way I had stolen from another author. My mom paid a visit to the teacher, who told my mom it wasn’t possible a student in high school wrote that paper. She said if I was so good I should drop out of school and just start writing. She said my wording was too complex, almost poetic. Problem is this teacher didn’t know how much I liked Poe. I loved how his words had rhythm, the rhythm was part of the story. It held the pace, the suspense and the pauses. Almost instinctually as you read his work you know how to read it. You know when to quicken the pace or slow it down. You felt emotions in the rhythm of his words. Long story short the teacher begrudgingly gave me the A. But that A stung. It hurt my soul. I know, stupid. It did hurt, though. I had really liked that teacher. I now knew she thought of me as a cheater, and a fraud. It stung. For some reason from that point forward I gave up on writing. I know, stupid reason. I guess I was too young, too immature, I didn’t know who I was, therefor I crumbled instead of standing strong. Instead of taking it as a compliment I let her words cut me down. That was 30 years ago, I’m no longer upset. Why? Because had I followed that path I would have left my home town. Had I left I never would have met my husband. We wouldn’t have our 2 wonderful children. I wouldn’t have been blessed to have had 20 years as a stay at home mom. Think of all the beauty I would have missed! The abundant joy they have brought me. No writing could have replaced their giggles, their chubby little hands, the wonderment in their eyes as they saw something for the first time. I’m truly blessed beyond measure. I think God knew he had bigger plans for me, he had plans for me to become a mother.... He knew I was straying from my purpose. That moment in my timeline was pivotal, I just didn’t know why it was pivotal. Because I didn’t know I was bitter. It’s easy to let bitterness and disappointment swallow you. It’s much harder to be patient and let your life play out. I’m the luckiest girl in the world. They, my family, they are my heart. They complete me and I am at least part of their completion. They now have their own life journeys ahead. I love Poe, thank you for the memories. I hadn’t thought of Poe and that moment in quite some time.

In a town called Rugeley (Rooj-lee) in Staffordshire, UK there was a murder on the canal in 1839. Christina Collins was killed by three crewmen of the narrowboat upon which she was travelling in a brutal, rum fuelled attack during which she was dragged from the Talbot Inn where they had been drinking back to the boat down 'The Bloody Steps' which still stand to this day. She was buried in Saint Augustine's churchyard in Rugeley and every year (at least until 2003 when I left), on her birthday, a single rose is placed afront the headstone and no one knows who by. I myself, along with a few friends, even stayed there all night one year and saw no one - it's entirely possible we fell asleep for a short time but none of us remember this. Most people believe it was some descended relative who carried it on from their grandparents and think the family still resides in the town. For what it's worth, the investigation was successful and two of the men, the main attackers, were hanged with an audience of 10,000 in Stafford, the third being 'transported' presumably to Australia. Such is the history of this story ITV even made a special feature episode of the series Inspector Morse based upon the events.

Mitchell and Webb! Never thought I'd see you reference them Joe, made my day :) Hope you're continuing the tradition this new year and settling down to some of the Surprising Adventures of Sir Digby Chicken-Caesar.

I didn't know that poem, "alone". Thank you very much, it's beautiful

Just finished rewatching Peep Show, thanks for the Mitchell and Webb suggestion to continue the fun!

That is my favorite poem from Edgar Allen Poe! I know it by heart also. No one I know has any idea that poem even exists.

OH "toaster". I swear I saw the title and thought of a little machine that cooks bread.

Nobody knows my pain, except Poe. Put my head down on my desk and laughed. It's an extraordinary feat to make someone laugh when they're by themself.

Good show, old chap. Really enjoyed the down-to-earth rendition of the Poe poem, as well as the angsty comedy clip.

You are always interesting, no matter what you are talking about. Poe is one of my favourite writer, thanks for letting me know this story. In my hometown there is a legend according to which in the apse of our cathedral (Saint Lawrence in Genoa, Italy) it is kept the holy grail.

I can still recite Chaucer's prolog to the Canterbury Tales in Middle English. Never once has this helped me in my 52 years. Thanks Mr. Rainey (High School English teacher).

I would love to visit Poe's grave on his special days so that I can give him flowers. Honestly, I'd like to go to his grave everyday and just talk to his tombstone as if I am talking to him. His works was one of the best influences for my current horror stories. He reminds me of myself sometimes. I wish I could go back in time and just talk to him.

because I'm a big Poe nerd, I was following along as you recited "Alone"

At first I thought it meant toaster, as in toast making toaster...machine...

Way to go Random Thursday's! Great work Joe.. keep it up!

ages after you uploaded this video I am giving thumbs up , in mostly because you state that the mystery is better than knowing who that dude was. And because I share Mr. Poe´s grim view of life and little faith on human race, of course :-)

Great material, I subbed. I live near the final resting place of HP Lovecraft...interesting things happen at his grave.

Thanks for sharing Joe! It's great that you're making new more videos now.

3 videos this week? It's like having divorced parents and having 2 Christmases 😀

Imagine passing on your tradition to your son and he just half-arses it for awhile then quits. Like, it's once a year. Respecting your father's tradition once a year was too hard for you?

That is my favorite poem ever! And the only one I know by heart.

LOVE Random Thursdays!!!

Joe, if you love Mitchell and Webb please watch a long running show they did called Peep Show. You will laugh hard!

Theory:The toaster was Edgar’s secret son

I don't comment very often but so pleased That Micthell & Webb Look has made it over the pond. it's amazing! You have good taste Joe!

I enjoyed this very much! Accurate and straightforward. Thanks for taking this former tribute seriously.

Joe, thanks for all your hard work in making more videos per week. I love this new schedule and look forward to your next video! Keep it up!

You are so right (oh no! it's him again)(I hear you cry). Some mysteries are better left unsolved. It reminds me of the time that I once wen to

It was many and many a year ago ... Thanks Joe. Great short video!

That Mitchell & Webb Look - so good. Especially like the series of the post-apocalyptic game show bits...and Digby Chicken Caesar...and Number Wang.

Cask of Amontillado takes place in Italy, where the grapes (Trebbiano) are harvested for wine. Cognac is distilled from wine, which is most commonly distilled from the Trebbiano grape family, native to both Italy and France, and made in France. Poe's work is said stem greatly from romanticism (England, Italy, France) of course written in English. When it comes to romance, wine and these places go hand in hand. Poe could see the subtle beauties and behind the curtains nuances from a perspective that often beckons tragic semblance deeper. Often miserable, fermenting himself in madness, he would delve into the world around, and write stories of darkened romantic perspective. As he, and his life to him was unbearable, Cognac is characterized as "virtually undrinkable". Poe now rests in a wooden box, Cognac is born in a wooden barrel. Yet both to this day, are still greatly enjoyed.

An unsolved mystery keeps life interesting, which I love

Hey joe! Interesting video! You should do a video on uncontacted tribes/people. I find those stories incredible.

I adore Poe! Why am I not surprised you feature him. I had the fortune of celebrating his 200th birthday in 2009 with some amazing horror writers. We drank absinthe, and ate a cake shaped like a hot air ballon (still not sure why).

Whoa, the synchronicity dude. I just heard a song about an hour and a half ago in which the line "everyting I loved, I loved alone" is sung. Now I pull up this video of Joe's and he recites a poem in which the exact same line occurs. No doubt the song plagairized the poem, but that's still a trip.

Love That Mitchell and Webb Look and love the tradition of binge watching Number Wang!!

And then there is this, “Fill with mingled cream and amber, I will drain that glass again. Such hilarious visions clamber Through the chamber of my brain - Quaintest thoughts - queerest fancies Come to life and fade away; What care I how time advances? I am drinking ale today.” Edgar Allan Poe

Hey Joe, did you know (no this isn't a poem) that the UK make an animation series in the '80's called "Mortimer and Arabel". Mortimer is a raven that always says "Never more". I just wanted yo to know.

I love Edgar Allan Poe’s work, but I didn’t know anything about the Poe Toastier-THANKS👍!

Can't believe you get that show! I bet Poe's favourite sketch would be... " Do you ever wonder if we're the bad guys, you know with all the skulls and stuff". Check out the Mitchell and Webb Sound. The best!

I've read Poe but I never knew about this story, thank you Joe!

Ah-mahn-tee-yaddo.

I live about a half hour out of Baltimore and every year people talked about running up and accosting the Poe visitor, but it never happened. In fact, there was never much attention given to the actual event. Like you said, it was the mystery that people loved. People had mad respect for the guy. And to my knowledge, it was never co opted by people trying to get in on the gig. I didn't know about the whole contest thing, that's really dumb.

I so love Poe! He was my first true hero. Pretty dangerous model to discover in youth, though.

I've never heard that poem before but it immediately reminded me of The Raven.

Superb recital!

Love Your Show, You are greate. Thank's man!

Long Live Edgar Allan Poe. One of America's greatest treasures... RIP

I know I'm a little late to the party, but honestly I've been looking around the youtube and you were the best to read it Joe. Good job pal.

Hey Joe big fan , From what I understand Cognac is a Sherry or a brandy and a Port is also in the same type of libation.

Speaking of Poe and mysteries, you should do a video about his death as well. That might be the one thing even more mysterious than the identity of his toaster.

Thats for the Mitchel and Webb heads up! They are hilarious!

I do this with friends.. i watch the whole series every year

Brandy was a favorite of the heavy-drinking EAP. I always thought the "toaster" was having a drink with him, giving him a brief salute, rather than toasting.

Gets me every time you say "Poe Toaster" brilliant

I have added Poe Toast day to my calander and will toast Poe on the 19th from now on. Thanks Joe.

I was reading poe youngish I think I was probably 9. my favorite is the Gold bug, also the cask of Amontillado, the raven of course the one poem I memorized, and I chose to recite in college and pantomime with a toy raven.

Woah what a cool story also great video keep it up Joe.

Thanks for "that mitchell and webb look" that show is hilarious.

I like the weekly videos. Good stuff.

You saying that you like The Mitchel and Webb Show has made me love you even more

Interesting topic! Also, can you do a video about the recent possible discovery of the fourth spatial dimension?

The Raven - best.... poem... ever... "and the silken, sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain, thrilled me, filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before" No one before or since has written like that, it's perfectly brilliant. Hats off to the Poe Toaster.

Twilight zone binge watch is a must for me every holiday season!

The Poe Toaster was an amazing display of what a non=toxic Fandom is capable of & it's enhezrtening to see that these dogs 🕯

great episode old chap!

My poetry professor told me that, before Edgar's death, he made all his work get inherited to his enemy/hater after he died and that is why most of the stories/poems/texts etc is so dark. Because his hater altered his stuff.

The adventures of Sir Digby Chicken Caesar! Almost forgot about that Mitchell and Webb look. Peep show is great too!

We've got SKULLS on our hats! Do you think we might be the bad guys??? ;)

Ooh... the Baltimore Ravens! Ya learn something everyday! Cool!

The weirdest mystery I know of is definitely Adelaide's Tamam Shud case. You should look it up, it's still unsolved and has so many unanswered questions about it.

I've never heard of this before. Thanks for the mystery :)

"Poe never died. He simply became their poetry." Would Anthony Hopkins say

When you started talking about Mitchell & Webb I thought you were going to start talking about Vectron (by Vectron's kindly claw)

I can't get enough Joe

Would it interest you to know that the untitled poem 'Alone' was written about a month after his foster mother died, but was not published until 1875 as a facsimile because it had been written in a private autograph album? Nice recitation by the way.

The dude was a stand-up chap. That's all I need to know. Starting and maintaining a tradition in honor of a literary great isn't exactly what many would consider doing with their free time. But I would have to say that the somber nature of it all is why the mystery was left alone. There should always be respect for those who wish to show their respects. Remembrances are what keeps those who died alive. Not literally, of course. The Toaster shouldn't overshadow Poe, but carry the torch of his literary influence to new generations. And even if it's now a local ritual, the torch stays lit and the memory of Poe lives on.

Watch me become the poe ROASTER. This is the tradition where I do exactly what the poe toaster does, except I leave notes ROASTING Edgar Allen Poe!!!

In the late 70’s, I was in the Army, living in Organ NM. Pat Garrett’s grave was within 100 ft of the shack I was living in with a few of my Army buddies. Many mornings, I had to leave the shack at 6am, I’d wake up a man, sleeping on Pat Garrett’s grave. The man had a long beard Down to his belly button & leather cowboy hat. He was married with kids, living a few houses from the shack. By the way, a definition of a shack, is when you can see light in the drains, inside the house. Regards

Went to visit his grave when in Baltimore, got to see a lovely couple having sex next to it. 10/10 would recommend.

Poe was a trip and well, talk about inspirations...but that's what poetry is all about

There is something similar going on in Dartmoor, England. A 19th century girl, by the name of Kitty Jay, committed suicide after being left pregnant by her lover. Since then someone has been leaving flowers on her grave - even during lockdown! Actually, there's just so much spooky stuff going on in Dartmoor you'd have more than plenty to fill a video - piskies (Cornish for Pixies), ghostly Roman legionnaires, old Hairy Hands, the legends that influenced Conan Doyle's 'Hound of the Baskervilles' (not the only shaggy dog story on the moor either).

Joe is a preacher of science. Amen brother!