It might be time to crowdsource this ritual, lest Poe be toasted nevermore.
Every year since 1949, the stranger – known locally as the Poe
Toaster – has left three roses and a half-bottle of cognac on Poe’s
grave in Baltimore on his birthday. The roses are believed to represent
the three bodies buried beneath the monument – Poe, his mother-in-law
and his wife Virginia; the significance of the cognac is not known.But
this year, as around 30 fans – one of whom had flown in from Chicago –
waited all night in the cemetery for the visitor to show, he failed to
appear. He usually leaves his gifts between midnight and 5.30 am. —Guardian