Poetry

Schoolchildren in 1900 were taught more poetry than they are in 2012. This poem doesn't include explicit necrophilia. In those innocent times it could be read as a simple romantic story of love and loss.

I read that poem in 6th grade. I remember it very distinctly because I thought it was really sad. Necrophilia was not discussed, obviously.

Anyway, my grandma remembered reading lots of Edgar Allan Poe when she was in school, and that was a lot closer to the time period in which Ms. Barlow was teaching. She also recited The Raven from memory for a talent show when she was 10.

A lot of poetry is dark. The specifics often go over children's heads, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed to read classic poetry. There are a lot of ways to interpret a poem. If all you took away from Annabel Lee was necrophilia, that's pretty depressing. It's a beautiful poem.

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It's so stimulating being your hat!