Edgar Allen Poe

[evilentity]

Does anyone see any connection with this song and Edgar Allen Poe's poem "A Dream within a Dream", that is, other than the poems title?

That is, do you think Maynard is intentionally referencing the poem, or is it accidental?

[heatherlynn86]

what is the poem? i havnt read that one

[evilentity]

A Dream
Within A Dream
by Edgar Allan Poe

Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
This much let me avow—
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand-
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep— while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?

[trippletaurus]

Obviously we all post opinions, conjecture, theory...whatever on the possible meanings to the songs. In this forum and in the academic environment it never fails to amuse when someone renders absolutes about what a writer ment, even though they be long dead....how can anyone be that confident, that sure they're summation is diffinitive? Only Mr. K knows for sure, and he WANTS us to find our own individual truths. One group I can think of that directly quoted from this poe/m was an 80's band that I was quite fond of called Propaganda...saw them at the 9:30 in D.C. memorable show

[heatherlynn86]

thanks for the poem ;)

[Vincent]

Hmm....after reading the poem.....the part about the shore reminds me of the "It's almost like i'm swimmin'" part......coincidence?

[TIMMY]

Yes, it's all a coincidence. None of this was meant. It all "just happened" that all of these things coincide.

Actually, I think that it was probably just a muse or an inspiration point.

Personally, I think that this song has more in common with Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin'" but that's just me.

[xSaveXmondaYx]

hahah nice i think there is alot of things that conect tool's lyrics but are and aren't far off and i think why maynard wants us to figure out the truth for ourself

[RussianRoot]

im 12 years past OP's date and i see how everyone is saying "find your own meaning," but its fun to try to figure out where his inspiration came from after ive found a meaning for myself. maybe it'll help clarify my interpretation to see where Maynard came from.. also, your interpretation cant physically be that far off from the artists. you cant look at the Mona Lisa and say "thats a potato. yep, thats definitely a vegetable."

i honestly think there might be a connection here. Maynard is big on reading, and Poe is one of the most famous writers in history.. using logic here, i think theres a strong likelihood of a connection

[crimblecrumble]

he might have got that from poe or he came up with it himself
i think the universe works like this:
when someone comes up with an idea or inventions
they usually find out that someone else had the same idea
because we are all connected
if we think of something someone else does to
i believe just thinking about a better world we are making that happen
the more people think of an idea
the faster it comes into existence
i think that is how weed became legal
there is enough people saying "legalize it!"
mindpower is the real magic
the more people that have the same intention/idea
the more powerful the mastermind
i think just thinking about it is enough to change the world
we are all one

[musiker]

amazing music

[lickerig]

I love this music

[joegiles]

wow.. I love it

[Alien]

Clear influence, it's easy to see why Tool would be attracted to some of E.A.P.'s poetry!