The author was a lonely child who spent much of his childhood and adulthood alone. He also suffered from mental health issues which further outcasted him until he met his first cousin. They later got married and were married for 11 years before her death and his death two years after hers.
The historical context and social issues behind the poem was that mental health had a certain stigma and was rarely discussed. Very few times were people suffering from these issues allowed to express their inner selves. Another issue was isolation, particularly of children which was mentioned heavily in the poem. Edgar Allan Poe referenced isolation and depression heavily in this poem, notably using a storm as a metaphor for his depression.
The way this poem came to be the one I chose is because I saw myself in it. I related extremely well to the isolation, having a lonely childhood myself. The mental health he shadowed in the poem as well made me realize that’s how I feel and that’s what lead me to choose this poem as well. The fact this poem was relatable and figuratively screamed to me that it was me lead me to this choice.
The Poem
As others were—I have not seen
As others saw—I could not bring
My passions from a common spring—
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow—I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone—
And all I lov’d—I lov’d alone—
Then—in my childhood—in the dawn
Of a most stormy life—was drawn
From ev’ry depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still—
From the torrent, or the fountain—
From the red cliff of the mountain—
From the sun that ’round me roll’d
In its autumn tint of gold—
From the lightning in the sky
As it pass’d me flying by—
From the thunder, and the storm—
And the cloud that took the form
(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view—
Poetry With Abigail 