Poe’s 'Bridal Ballad' contains one of America's most 'ludicrous' rhymes

Design · Published 9 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Edgar Allan Poe is the master of atmosphere, yet even his most somber works contain moments of unintentional absurdity. One of his few poems written from a woman's perspective features a rhyme so forced that critics have labeled it one of the most unfortunate in the history of American poetry.

Published in 1841, 'Bridal Ballad' (originally titled 'Ballad') stands out in Poe's bibliography as one of the few instances where he adopts a female persona. The poem depicts a recently married bride who, despite claiming to be happy, maintains a melancholic tone as she recounts a vow of eternal love to a deceased previous lover. This narrative of broken vows and lingering grief is a hallmark of Poe's thematic obsession with lost love. The work first appeared in the Southern Literary Messenger's January 1837 edition. It was later retitled for its July 31, 1841 appearance in the Saturday Evening Post. This specific piece is notable because it is one of the few times Poe wrote in a female voice.

However, the poem's technical execution has drawn sharp criticism from literary scholars. Biographer Daniel Hoffman described the rhyme of the bride's dead lover, 'D'Elormie,' with the preceding lines 'o'er me' and 'before me' as 'patently a forced rhyme.' The critique was echoed by Aldous Huxley, who characterized the specific rhyming choice as 'ludicrous' and 'horribly vulgar.' These observations suggest a rare lapse in the meticulous craftsmanship usually associated with Poe's work. This specific rhyme was noted by biographer Daniel Hoffman as a significant failure in American poetry. Huxley's harsh assessment highlights the contrast with Poe's typical reputation for precision. The critique focuses on the name of the lover as a forced linguistic choice.

The poem's history reflects the shifting landscape of 19th-century publishing. The Southern Literary Messenger's January 1837 issue hosted its debut, prior to its well-known naming within the Saturday Evening Post. While Poe is often celebrated for his 'exquisite nonsense' and haunting imagery, 'Bridal Ballad' serves as a fascinating case study in the tension between evocative storytelling and the rigid constraints of poetic form. Poe's other works often explored themes of isolation and death, such as his 1829 poem 'Alone.' His 1849 poem 'Annabel Lee' also explores a lost love, possibly inspired by his wife. These pieces demonstrate his enduring fascination with the tragic and the macabre.

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