I don't start with E and I don't end with E but I do have a letter. -this is a spin on a classic riddle that comes along every once in a while-

Cut down, split, and neatly laid, I spend my life in tidy shade. Feed me to flames and I will smile, what am I in patient pile?

In the lungs I lie, Silent and slick, Guard by nature, Cast out when thick.

It's a bird! It's a plane! No wait, I can't really tell, Then I must be me, only three letters to spell

Close one eye? Not so fast! No need to wink with this spyglass. Gaze at stars. Read far off words. One common use is for the birds!