The Crow

One cold, stormy and dreary night
While I was long lost in my musing,
There came a knocking, faint and light
Yet startled me from my dozing.

In the grim glow of a solitary candle
I got out of my old chair acreaking
And to the front door I did waddle,
Through the eyeglass began peeking.

Except for the road with such bleak a plight,
As was snow dust drifting and swirling,
There was but not a soul in sight
So much so, my heart began racing.

Frozen to the ground I stood still,
Deep into the darkness I kept peering,
In the grip of fear and weak of will,
Who might be? I kept wondering.

With a rush of uncommon valor and insight,
I nudged ajar my dwelling door
to explore this mystery of my fright --
Lo, merely darkness there and nothing more!

With a smile and back in my chair;
Once again I heard now a loud tapping,
To confront the intruder, clear and fair
And unravel this behavior beguiling,

I marched emboldened to the door
And opened it wide now unfearing,
Hoping only darkness there and no more
And forever stop this irksome rapping.

With cold sweat welling on my brow,
Perched upon my front porch railing,
Emerged from darkness a carrion crow
Where it appears to have taken to roosting!

A stealer of soul, messenger of death,
With its beady black eyes kept at me looking,
Brooding over to let me live a few more breath
With a sly smile on its beak amocking.

With a choking dismay I crumpled to the floor,
Drenched in cold sweat, shivering, fluttering;
When I raised my head the crow was no more --
A close encounter or was I just dreaming?



~For Kelly Deschler's "My Last Contest"

~ Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven"
~ For the contest: "The Raven" by Kelly Deschler.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

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A   Avatar
February 16, 2015 at 1:20 AM
Abdul, Congratulations in Kelly D's contest. Always ~LINDA
A  Avatar
February 15, 2015 at 10:27 PM
Abdul, CONGRATS on your awesome placement ~ SKAT ~
Allison Avatar
February 7, 2015 at 2:40 PM
Beautifully penned Abdul:-) many congrats on your win:-) hugs jan xx
Deschler Avatar
February 7, 2015 at 1:25 PM
I recall this excellent poem from "The Raven" contest and it was one of my favorite entries. Congrats on the win and thank you for participating, Abdul!
Richards Avatar
October 14, 2014 at 12:47 PM
Hooray for you Abdul.....indeed a number one poem !! Congratulations !
Mandani Avatar
October 14, 2014 at 6:12 PM
Appreciate your enthusiasm! Thanks a lot.
Mehta Avatar
October 13, 2014 at 9:36 PM
Congratulations, Abdul, for the top place win,
Mandani Avatar
October 14, 2014 at 10:44 AM
Thank you very much.
Deschler Avatar
October 13, 2014 at 5:35 PM
Your poem was very atmospheric and you've managed to write it in the same tone as Poe. I loved the question in the last line, which leaves the reader with something to think about.... Very nicely rhymed, as well! Congratulations on your first place win!
Mandani Avatar
October 14, 2014 at 10:43 AM
I am so glad you liked it. I kept reading and rereading 'The Raven' and also saw the movie 'The Raven' before I got in the mood to write this. Thanks a lot.
Meier-Hans Avatar
September 30, 2014 at 5:53 PM
Nice poem Abdul, I enjoyed reading it.
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