I heed not that my earthly lot
Hath little of Earth in it—
That years of love have been forgot
In the hatred of a minute:—
I mourn not that the desolate
Are happier, sweet, than I,
But that you sorrow for my fate
Who am a passer-by.
Credits
Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849) was an American poet, short story writer, and literary critic, widely regarded as a master of atmosphere and psychological depth. "To ——" is one of several poems in which Poe addressed an unnamed figure, reflecting the recurring theme of idealized, sorrowful love that shaped much of his verse. The poem's unresolved dedication — its recipient deliberately concealed — adds a layer of personal mystery that has intrigued readers and scholars for generations.
