Edgar Allen's Poetry

I'm trying to picture "Annabel Lee" as light, or sentimental. I've always enjoyed Poe's poetry and found most of it to be quite complex and engaging. I suppose it's a matter of taste, wordsheff.

Like any other Poet, I don't like all of his work. I find that his meter and style can be so similar from poem to poem that I get lost reading more than a few, I agree with you about Tamerlane, I could not even finish that. It seemed to jump around. But it could be a lovely piece, I'm just not patient enough to get it.
But he sure can capture some emotions well and beautifully, as well as telling great little stories in a short piece.
Here's a list of his poetry.
The Raven is the first one that comes to mind when I think of a favorite,but I have not read enough of his work yet to be certain there isn't another I like more. I do like Dream Within a Dream, and Alone, and most of the ones he wrote to specific people.

I wonder if he was somewhat bound by the style of the time, and what he would write were he alive now.

Hey, the French liked him.

But they also liked Jerry Lewis.

No, you're not alone. Many critics love to lambast Poe for being "technically perfect" but without true depth.

Me, I think "technically perfect" is underrated by such critics. That's mighty hard to pull off. What I love about Poe's poetry is that it sings, that it rings in my mind, and that it evokes feeling, even if it doesn't say much.

As a temperal epileptic and alcoholic, Poe's works had more depth than most realise. At first glimpse some does seem superficial and surface.

He was, yes, very technical. I am a lover of many of his works and also find some boring, like the work of most poets, including myself.

He was a miserable bastard who somehow found it in him to write some of the most endearing works of all time under the worst conditions anyone can imagine.

Like all writers, some of his stuff may not seem up to par; but how many of us can honestly say we write better than Poe? Remember, he practically invented the short story and helped usher in the detective character. And some of his poetry is, well, almost too good to be true and stings the soul with its heat and longing.

Hey, Silver, don't hold back, let us know how you really feel. (just kidding)

I agree, though, Annabel Lee, The City in the Sea, Eldorado, Israfael aren't what poetry is today, but they are enduring works.

If I could dwell
Where Israfel
Hath dwelt, and he where I,
He might not sing so wildly well
A mortal melody,
While a bolder note than this might swell
From my lyre within the sky.

The man had flashes of incredible brilliance.

Check it out for yourself at The Works of Edgar Allen Poe.