Like a character in his stories, Edgar Allan Poe spoke from beyond the grave this week.
His voice was supplied by Rachel Alvey, who brought Poe’s Israfel to life onstage at Morristown’s Community Theatre.
Rachel is a junior at Madison High School. Her recitation of three poems–the others were Ted Kooser’s Abandoned Farmhouse and Hysteria by Dionisio D. Martinez–won the regional competition of Poetry Out Loud. Rachel advances to next month’s state finals along with Sophia Laurenzia of Montville High School.
And then, maybe, on to the nationals in Washington, D.C. … not too far from Poe’s old stomping grounds.
Above, we present video of Rachel channeling the famed spookster and one of his least creepy works.
Will we do this again?
We dare not say “Nevermore!”