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.