Ride, Boldly Ride

Today, we have my very favorite poem ever. It’s by Edgar Allen Poe.  The man may be known for his ‘odd’ persona (Never more, never more!), but his poetry is utterly exquisite. If you’re not familiar with it, read this one. It’s my all-time favorite because of the mental picture it provokes for me. But we’ll talk about that later.  Now, read this:

Gaily bedight,
A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.

But he grew old-
This knight so bold-
And o’er his heart a shadow
Fell as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.

And, as his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow-
“Shadow,” said he,
“Where can it be-
This land of Eldorado?”

“Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,”
The shade replied-
“If you seek for Eldorado!”

Why do I love this? Well, first the obvious – it describes a knight on a quest. Picture the lone knight seeking El Dorado. Kind of like the Grail quest of King Arthur’s, right? Riding endlessly seeking something that just doesn’t exist.  Over the mountains of the moon, down the valley of the shadow… ride, boldly ride.  Every hero I write about rides, boldly rides, so maybe that’s why I like this so much. There’s bravery in this poem, and the suggestion that you should never, EVER give up on your quest, whatever that may be. Even if you have to stop and ask a ghost for directions!

Once you’re done with this poem, read ‘Annabel Lee’. Unbelieveably beautiful, sad, and thought-provoking.

Poe is the MAN.