Since we are discussing sensory details, we are using all of our senses as Poe gives a word picture. Of course the only thing he doesn't do is taste it but he does everything else. He sees it, he hears it hissing, he feels the vibration, he smells its acrid breath.
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Mainly because of the Anonimity that comes with cyberbullying. You do not know who is on the other side which gives them protection from law enforcement and so on
a track race almost finisehd
It entirely based on his own opinion