Edgar Allan Poe — The Raven, the full poem

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, — the opening line of "The Raven", first published in January 1845. A man sits up over his old books, grieving for Lenore, hears a tapping at his chamber door, and ends up letting in a raven that knows only one word.

This poster prints the whole poem: all 18 stanzas, in two columns, in an old-style book typeface. The first letter is a large red drop cap, and every "Nevermore" is printed in red, so you can watch the refrain come back stanza after stanza until the final line, Shall be lifted—nevermore! At the top, an oval vignette by Gustave Doré, a winged figure lying on clouds under a fan of rays and the Greek word ANAΓKH, then "The Raven." in blackletter and "by Edgar Allan Poe". Along the bottom: "First published January 1845".

A poem to read on the wall

This is a poster you read up close, not just look at. Hang it at eye level, next to a reading chair, a desk or a bookcase. On a cream ground and in 4K print, the text stays crisp and easy to read.

Text from Project Gutenberg (the 1884 Harper edition illustrated by Doré), with modern spelling; vignette by Gustave Doré (public domain).

More posters of the writer are on the Edgar Allan Poe page, with the whole Gothic world next door.

Printed in Tunisia, paid on delivery.