As an author, I think one of the most important things to do is remember who pioneered the genre or style you're proficient in. Edgar Allan Poe happens to be the individual who I express my gratitude towards, as he pioneered darker literature and lit the torch for authors like myself to follow. Therefore, I had always wanted to write something dedicated to him.

When I began this process of writing a tribute for Poe, I had originally intended to write a response to The Raven. However, after going through the writing process for a few hours, nothing significant could escape the depths of my creativity. Anything I could get down on the paper seemed mundane and forced, and I certainly didn't want to experience that while writing a tribute to the man who is my biggest inspiration.

Feeling a sense of defeat, I had laid down and listened to music, deciding to revisit this endeavor a bit later.

However, as I pondered what approach to take for this tribute piece, Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd came on from my playlist.

That's when it hit me; why not produce a poem about a place Poe himself would’ve loved? I had already developed a perception of him through his works, along with a strong implication of the atmosphere he probably would’ve embraced.

Euphoria suddenly rushed through me as I grabbed the journal where my poetry was kept. I practically ripped out my earbuds as I went to a clean page, retrieving a pencil as well. I then wrote at the top: Sweet Home of Darkness. Once that was done, it's as if the words just escaped me; I wrote that poem quicker than other ones, Poe on my mind every second.

Once I set my pencil down and inspected what I wrote, I had the biggest Joker grin on my lips. It was perfect; in my mind, I created an exceptional tribute to Poe. I fulfilled what I desired to for so long.

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I wanted to share this poem with Teen Ink not only because I consider this one of the strongest poems I've produced, but because it's a piece that I'm genuinely proud of. I believe it exemplifies some of my storytelling assets, in addition to my ability to create a profound piece dedicated to one of the greatest, innovative writers in the history of literature.