A mysterious man arrives after midnight on January 18th, the eve of Edgar Allen Poe’s birthday and leaves three roses and a half bottle of cognac on his grave, departing as elusively as he arrives. Poe was originally buried in a simple grave behind the Westminster Church in Baltimore, Maryland and was later exhumed and re-entombed in the northwest corner of the churchyard, marked by an impressive and noticeable monument. He also shares the grave with his wife and mother-in-law. Westminster is no longer a church, but rather an event hall rented out by the University of Maryland. The curator of Westminster, with some assistance from a couple volunteers, annually maintains his vigil on the night of January 18th, and has been doing so for three decades. He alone knows the toaster’s routine, special placement of the items on the grave, and his special signal upon exit. Any skeptics should note that the toaster predates the current curator, thus the curator’s knowledge only comes from experience. Note also that the toaster dismisses Poe’s actual grave opting for the original one in the back of the churchyard. All gates into the cemetery are locked at dusk, save one. Only the toaster can enter the yard, and does so via the opened gate of W. Fayette Street. Pilgrims are not permitted. The toaster is dressed in all black, with a black full-length coat and a matching hat, usually pulled down over the eyes. He wears a white scarf, usually silk, and it covers most of his face.
11:30 P.M.
We all arrive, approximately three dozen of us: a couple from Chicago, a man from Savannah, and a family from Pittsburgh who has been coming for years, the oldest daughter named Raven. There are also two men who traveled from Russia, and we find out later, a couple from France, who had made arrangements to remain inside the church for the duration. Raven, a college student, and her father, are the experts on the Poe toaster. They’ve seen him several times. We drill them for information. Also, an Associated Press reporter works as our liaison to the curator. Other freelance writers are present, including one who has taped a camera to a utility pole on N. Pine Street high above the stone wall. He’s transmitting via the internet in the warmth of his SUV. As stated, the entrance is on Fayette, but the best view of the original grave is from a side gate on N. Pine. Tonight, slightly overcast and with a steady drizzle, the grave is shrouded in darkness. Occasionally the clouds will break and an ominous moon, almost full, appears behind Westminster.
12:05 A.M.
A white stretch Hummer arrives at W. Lafayette, a gentleman, mid forties, stout, exits the limousine and enters the appropriate gate. He has a cane, but walks without a limp, rather with a steady gait towards the original grave. Not believing our good fortune, we watch him pass the side gate and disappear into the darkness for several moments. After a few moments he retraces his steps. We follow him from the outer sidewalk as he exits the churchyard and returns to the comfort of the limo. However, his scarf is checkered black and white. Raven and father dismiss him as being too flashy for someone supposedly so mysterious. The curator investigates the grave and informs the liaison that the roses weren’t placed properly and that no apparent signal was given. Imposter!
12:35 A.M.
A much younger person appears walking west on Lafayette toward Westminster; mid twenties to early thirties and with shoulder-length black hair. The person is dressed appropriately, the scarf is long and white, silk, covering the face and extending down the coat. We follow from the opened gate around the side street to the closed one. The pace is somewhat slower in comparison, but steady. Upon further scrutiny, it appears this toaster is a woman. She exits the churchyard as we follow for a block or two eastward. She disappears into a parking garage and we return to the church. We await the results and it is determined the placement of the items was not proper, and again, no definitive signal. Imposter!
1:30 A.M.
A young woman, mid twenties, casually gathers around the crowd’s perimeter, making no conversation or acknowledgement. She is somewhat plump, dressed in street clothes, a light black jacket, and no hat. Within a brief moment, the woman enters the churchyard and rounds the side before anyone is aware, even the curator. She has a hurried step, rushes through the ritual in the darkness, and returns to Lafayette, entering quickly into a cream colored Mini Cooper. This is becoming a farce. Obviously, an Imposter!
1:45 A.M.
Suddenly, out of the catacombs beneath the church, a man appears, in appropriate attire, similar in build to the first imposter, but wearing the signature white scarf. We didn’t see him arrive, so apparently he jumped the back wall, performed his ritual, and exited quickly. He had a fast gait and we discreetly pursued him north and east, losing him past the parking lot of Lexington Market. We were sure this was the one, Raven was sure as well. We awaited word. No! No signal! Imposter!
5:00 A.M.
The crowd dwindles to about a dozen. The men from Russia have left, placing a dozen roses at the N. Pine gate. Raven and family have left as well. The few that remain include the couple from Chicago, the AP man, and that guy from Savannah. The curator appears out front and declares that the Poe Toaster was a no show for the second year in a row and that Westminster will allow the tradition to continue for one more year. The toaster’s last appearance was on the 200th anniversary of the poet’s birth. He states that this was the year of the imposter and that the four imitators were possibly hoping to keep the tradition alive. He invites the remaining pilgrims into the churchyard to pay respects to the original grave and give our own silent toast. A television news crew arrives, setting up a bright boom light, and we leave for home.
James Barnett - James Barnett 4151 Weeping Willow Court Chantilly, VA 20151 703.229.2801 otto_barnett@hotmail.com Assist low-achieving high ...
