One fact i believe we should clear first just one fact and then ill give you the answering. He isn't expressing his grief for an 'Annabel Lee' but in fact for his late wife Virginia. Anyway, although the entire poem really reflects his grief, I think that the final stanze 'for the moon never beams without bringing me dreams of the beautiful Annabel Lee, and the stars never rise but i ee the bright eyes of the beautiful annabel Lee.. and so all the night tide I lie down by the side of my darling my darling my life and my bride. In her sepulcher there by the sea.. in her tomb by the side of the sea' (I had to memorize the poem for English) and the line 'And neither the angels in heaven above nor the demons down under the sea can ever dissever my soul from the soul of the beautiful Annabel Lee' really reflects his sorrow for his wife. As he would actually lie down on her grave at night.. He was very saddened by the loss of his wife, as his childhood was very traumatic and she was one of the few comforts he had.. And how he honestly believed that their love was so strong.. and how he would never be seperated from her, not even by death.. just waiting for that time when they would be reunited..
I believe it is tense. I hope that helps!
