Hello all, I enjoy reading Poe very much and am most interested in things like codes and such in his work. So, for the past few months I've been trying to figue out the hidden name in the poem, A Valentine. I don't have very many resources or very much tiem for that matter, so it's been difficult. I was wondering if anyone who knows the answer would be kind enough to tell me. Thank you. -Caterina*

-- Anonymous, July 31, 2002

Answers

Often the publisher does the reader the kindness of putting the solution letters in bold print or italics. The solution to those poems that contain hidden names is that the name is spelled out one letter per line, the first letter of the name being the first letter of the first line, the second letter being the second letter of the second line, and so on. Poe was not exceptionally devious and especially wanted his cleverness to be discovered by the reader.

-- Anonymous, July 31, 2002