Evermore

by Peter Miller

“How do you feel?“

“Strange“

“Yes, it is often so. It might take a little time.“

“I can see light. Sun in the leaves. It smells like autumn.“

“I hope you find it agreeable. It is thought that you might be uncomfortable in closed spaces.“

“I am floating in water!“

“You are quite safe. You are not in water, though it may feel a little like that for the moment.“

“May I see your face, sir?“

“That might not be advisable just now.“

“Might I know your name then?“

“My name is Vishnu.“

“Ah. I have heard of you. You are not exactly what I expected, I confess.“

“No, it's not what you think. Vishnu is my namesake. Please don't be concerned. It was given to me as a kind of joke.“

“I see. A kind of joke. Then perhaps I am not in the afterlife? I thought I must have died.“

“It is complicated. You are not in the kind of afterlife you might have foreseen, but indeed, your time has passed. You are, however, ... recreated.“

“You have raised me from the grave?“

“In a way. But I should not give you the wrong impression. It is not I who may take credit for your reawakening. I am merely a kind of avatar. I am here to serve you, as I serve those who have called you back.“

“Can you tell me where I am?“

“You are in Baltimore.“

“I have not travelled far, then.“

“In a geographical sense, no, not far.“

“I feel as if I have slept a very deep sleep. Will you tell me the day and month?“

“It is the twelfth day of December.“

“Not 1849, I sense. Nor soon thereafter ...?“

“ The year is now 2095 by the reckoning to which you are accustomed. Almost two hundred and fifty years have passed since your former body was laid in the ground.“

“Two hundred and fifty years? My former body?“

“We have made a new one for you. You will find it different in some ways, but in most respects familiar. There are certain improvements.“

“You have brought me back from the dead and improved me also?“

“That is so. It is in our power to do such things.“

“Then I have come into an age of magic!“

“ Not magic, no. In these times we understand a great deal about life and death.“

“But not all ...“

“No, not all.“

“Then, are others brought back, as I am?“

“Yes, many are returned.“

“But not all.“

“No, as you say.“

“May I ask why I was chosen?“

“ Your works are much admired. Indeed, your memory has been kept alive in many ways. There are those who have visited your grave every year. They leave you a small remembrance of roses and cognac.“

“Every year? For two hundred and fifty years? I am deeply moved that someone should do that for me.“

“It is through their attentions that you have been reawakened. It was not a task without complications. The grave that bears your name is not the one where your former body was set at rest. Initially another was raised in your stead. A regrettable but understandable error.“

“I am feeling a little cold.“

“I can raise the temperature for you, if you like.“

“Thank you. Although I was speaking metaphorically as well ...“

“Ah. I see. Forgive me, you may find that I sometimes misunderstand the subtleties of your words. Our language has changed since the nineteenth century and though I am educated in the speech of your time, much of what we know about spoken forms is conjectural. In a way that is how I come to be here with you. It is my hope that we shall learn something from each other.“

“Those others who have brought me back, may I speak with them?“

“In time, yes, but for the moment you must rest. The mechanism of your reawakening is not yet complete.“

“I understand. And yet, I would know a little about those who have called me from beyond the grave.“

“As you wish. They are a group of scholars and artists who have strived long for your return. They are known simply as the Edgar Allan Poe Society.“

“It confounds and amazes me that I am remembered.“

“Your patrons are extremely dedicated. The Society has been in official existence for almost a hundred years, and before that for many years as a clandestine group. When it first became possible they began at once to prepare for your return. The process of reawakening is an arduous one, in both technical and political respects. There is also a substantial financial consideration. Consequently it has taken almost thirty years of constant attention to reach this moment. In addition there have been two other reawakenings under the care of the Society.“

“Two other, you say? You spoke of one before ...“

“Yes, as I mentioned, there have been some difficulties. The Society had thought to reawaken two only, but on the first attempt it became apparent that the body in your grave was that of a soldier named Philip Mosher. It is not entirely clear how the confusion resulted but it would seem that early records were inaccurate. Private Mosher was awakened in your stead. Unfortunately he had some troubles adjusting to his reawakening and he is currently being rehabilitated. He will be fully well in time. It was an expensive mistake.“

“And you spoke of another ...“

“It is a matter we will discuss at length very soon, but for now I am told to let you rest. You will sleep for awhile.“

“Thank you, I am beginning to feel very weary. I fear I have succumbed to an absinthe vision and will awake tomorrow in my bed in my aunt's house.“

“Be assured sir, that is not the case. I will look forward to resuming our conversation later but for now, I wish you pleasant dreams.“