Coffee House: Poetry Reading Today!

[twinflower]

Well maybe not..but as I was scanning for a poem to use in the Twinnie Mail...I ran across soo many poems that I enjoy reading, and havn't for a loooooooong time!  Figured that maybe it might be the same with some of you!  Soo..let's have a coffee house/poetry reading this month!!

 

Remember also that most song lyrics...were poetry before they were set to music!  Some of my favorite poetry is now known as classic hits!  LOL

 

I'll lead off then....

 

One of my favorite poets is e.e.cummins.  I discovered this sometimes strange, but often poignant writer about, well in my twenties!  LOL  This has always been my favorite and from it comes one of my favorite words..mudluscious!  Enjoy!

 

in Just- by E. E. Cummings

in Just-

spring when the world is mud-

luscious the little lame baloonman

 

 

whistles far and wee

 

 

and eddyandbill come

running from marbles and

piracies and it's

spring

 

 

when the world is puddle-wonderful

 

 

the queer

old baloonman whistles

far and wee

and bettyandisbel come dancing

 

 

from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

 

 

it's

spring

and

the

goat-footed

 

 

baloonMan whistles

far

and

wee

[twinflower]

*grins*  Well I see there has been some of you have stopped by to read..thats GREAT!  LOL

 

up front on the stage, perched on a stool, Twinnie looks out over the crowd, sitting at the round tables, relaxing on couches and beanbags, the wonderful aroma of fresh brewed coffee in the air.  Grinning at Tay and Dae, as they finish thier private tea ritual and pour themselves steaming cuppa's. The atmosphere is relaxed, the lights soft and warm, accented by flickering candlelight on the tables. The "stage" area, just a raised dias, is a slightly brighter circle of light in the room.  Next to the stool is an old overstuffed chair....

 

How many of you had to ever memorize a poem for something?  Yeah...*nods*  So did I, but I was HORRIBLE at it!  *chuckles* I always forgot something!  But my Grandma..she had this file in her brain and could quote entire poems just like *snaps fingers* that!  LOL  as a kid I don't think I really appreciated having that influence around..but now there are so many I remember from her!  Especially the sound of the poems!  Like this one...I love the way the words just make your mouth have fun saying the words outloud!

 

Gunga Din by Rudyard Kipling

 

You may talk o' gin and beer

When you're quartered safe out 'ere,

An' you're sent to penny-fights an' Aldershot it;

But when it comes to slaughter

You will do your work on water,

An' you'll lick the bloomin' boots of 'im that's got it.

Now in Injia's sunny clime,

Where I used to spend my time

A-servin' of 'Er Majesty the Queen,

Of all them blackfaced crew

The finest man I knew

Was our regimental bhisti, Gunga Din.

He was "Din! Din! Din!

You limpin' lump o' brick-dust, Gunga Din!

Hi! slippery hitherao!

Water, get it! Panee lao!

You squidgy-nosed old idol, Gunga Din."

 

The uniform 'e wore

Was nothin' much before,

An' rather less than 'arf o' that be'ind,

For a piece o' twisty rag

An' a goatskin water-bag

Was all the field-equipment 'e could find.

When the sweatin' troop-train lay

In a sidin' through the day,

Where the 'eat would make your bloomin' eyebrows crawl,

We shouted "Harry By!"

Till our throats were bricky-dry,

Then we wopped 'im 'cause 'e couldn't serve us all.

It was "Din! Din! Din!

You 'eathen, where the mischief 'ave you been?

You put some juldee in it

Or I'll marrow you this minute

If you don't fill up my helmet, Gunga Din!"

 

'E would dot an' carry one

Till the longest day was done;

An' 'e didn't seem to know the use o' fear.

If we charged or broke or cut,

You could bet your bloomin' nut,

'E'd be waitin' fifty paces right flank rear.

With 'is mussick on 'is back,

'E would skip with our attack,

An' watch us till the bugles made "Retire",

An' for all 'is dirty 'ide

'E was white, clear white, inside

When 'e went to tend the wounded under fire!

It was "Din! Din! Din!"

With the bullets kickin' dust-spots on the green.

When the cartridges ran out,

You could hear the front-files shout,

"Hi! ammunition-mules an' Gunga Din!"

 

I shan't forgit the night

When I dropped be'ind the fight

With a bullet where my belt-plate should 'a' been.

I was chokin' mad with thirst,

An' the man that spied me first

Was our good old grinnin', gruntin' Gunga Din.

'E lifted up my 'ead,

An' he plugged me where I bled,

An' 'e guv me 'arf-a-pint o' water-green:

It was crawlin' and it stunk,

But of all the drinks I've drunk,

I'm gratefullest to one from Gunga Din.

It was "Din! Din! Din!

'Ere's a beggar with a bullet through 'is spleen;

'E's chawin' up the ground,

An' 'e's kickin' all around:

For Gawd's sake git the water, Gunga Din!"

 

'E carried me away

To where a dooli lay,

An' a bullet come an' drilled the beggar clean.

'E put me safe inside,

An' just before 'e died,

"I 'ope you liked your drink", sez Gunga Din.

So I'll meet 'im later on

At the place where 'e is gone --

Where it's always double drill and no canteen;

'E'll be squattin' on the coals

Givin' drink to poor damned souls,

An' I'll get a swig in hell from Gunga Din!

Yes, Din! Din! Din!

You Lazarushian-leather Gunga Din!

Though I've belted you and flayed you,

By the livin' Gawd that made you,

You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din!

 

LOL maybe that's why I like pirates so much....

 

 

 

 

[U4ea]

*saunters up to the front and slides onto a stool*

 

The Road Not Taken

by Robert Frost

 

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;        

 

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,        

 

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.        

 

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

 

 

*smiles* that one always makes me tear up...

[mmeeshal]

*tiptoes to the front, takes a stool, and looks over at Lor*

I love that one, too!

 

*takes a deep breath and reads*

 

"Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night"

By Dylan Thomas

 

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

 

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night.

 

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

 

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,

Do not go gentle into that good night.

 

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight

Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

 

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

 

I read this one about a year ago in my AP English class...  I've always loved it since I first read it.... :)

[twinflower]

*her voice ringing out the final words, Mmeesh captures the audiance, leaving goosebumps on thier flesh*

 

Amazing mmeesh!  Thankyou!  Hadn't heard that in a long while.  It is one I always enjoy!

 

*grinning at Lor, now lounging in the easy chair, sits on the arm beside her*

 

We have among our own Kin family..many talented and gifted poets!  One in particular comes to mind, because he seldom recognizes his own gift!  He shared this with me, two..maybe three years ago and has become a cherished favorite of mine.

 

This is Destiny's Wind by our own, Auld Manriva....

 

Sometimes it comes a zephyr

Only a whisper teasing your ears

Its intent easy to miss

The way not made clear

 

Another time its a stiffening breeze

Blowing steadily at your back

Insisting on the road to choose

Though you may take another track

 

But when Destiny comes a Great Gulf Wind

Skidding storms across the sky

Simply turn and face the Gale

Spread your wings.... and fly

[U4ea]

*smiles* I only have one decent poem I've written and I haul it out every year, so I'll spare you this round. I'll stick with the genius of other people, instead.

 

Phenominal Woman

by Maya Angelou

 

 

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I'm telling lies.

I say,

It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

 

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It's the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

 

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can't touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them

They say they still can't see.

I say,

It's in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I'm a woman

 

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

 

Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It's in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need of my care,

'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

[mmeeshal]

OOoohh! *claps* I love it, Lor!  Good choice.  :)

 

I wrote this one not too long ago; I've shared it one other place on DM and on one other website, so I want to see what you guys think:

 

I'm still messing with various titles; haven't quite found one that fits.

*clears throat and reads*

 

 

"Untitled" by Meesh

 

 

I still can't fathom

That you, the elite,

Would condescend to be

My friend.

 

That every time we talk

Somehow I'm good enough.

My imperfect words

My imperfect thoughts

My imperfect emotions

My imperfect deeds

They draw you in

 

They should drive you away

You are Light,

Air,

Music,

Pure Words.

I am a guttering candle flame,

Smoke,

Discord,

Garbled Letters.

 

Yet

When I try to burn you

Choke you

Make you deaf,

Confuse you,

You smile and draw me closer

 

You light up my dark,

Fill up my lungs,

Cause me to sing,

Make everything clear.

 

For all that you do,

I love you, but

I am afraid

 

To pull close to you

To take of your goodness.

If I open my arms to you

You might silently

Slip away.

 

[twinflower]

*stunned silence echos as mmeesha finishes, then thunderous applause breaks out*

 

That is really very good Mmeesh!  You have a gift with words! 

 

*grins*  Well, I'm going to give y'all this..lol I havn't written much poetry in years..but in the band I was "inspired"  to write a thing called JoTS!  They are fun..and actually a lot of DM'ers do write them! This one is about another Kin member and myself....

 

On a cool, dark, autumn night,

The sky was clear, the stars burned bright

And the wind danced free in their light

Far away fromt eh Jak o’ the Shadows.

 

It seemed to whisper in her ear,

Destiny’s Wind is drawing near,

It’s purpose only heart’s can hear.

Waiting with Jak o’ the Shadows.

 

We know not what the Wheel spins out

Nor understand what it’s about,

At times a whisper, sometimes a shout.

Entering the Dance with Jak’o the Shadows.

 

He arrived with a rolling gait,

For her the end of a long wait,

The Wheel itself had planned this date.

Dancing with Jak o’ the Shadows.

 

For the first time, the met again

By Destiny’s Wind and Wheel’s spin

The Pirate Knight and Lady Twin.

Entwined by the Dance with Jak o’ the Shadows.

 

To his banded love he was sworn,

Matching dolphins on their cheeks adorned.

Until the age of Lace be torn.

Dancing against the Jak o’ the Shadows.

 

The Cosmic Muffin gave this gift

That none could change or power lift

Joining heart and mind, sure and swift.

In the Dance of Jak o’ the Shadows.

 

Against the Shadow they will fight,

Bound by the Wheel against the light

Through the Ages, through any blight.

In the continuous Dance of Jak o’ the Shadows

[Guest dragonsworn1991]

I have two poems they are self compositions

I Come From...

 

I come from a place where white is speed

power is green and fueled by greed

the truth lay hidden behind blue eyes

and the dark night approaches from all sides

What white truth there are, they've been hidden by black doors

Only the people that's behind them knows what goes on for shore

A black plague of rumors fill the air

of a church full of people in mock prayer

What pink lips whisper, makes pale ears burn red

While words like great gray stones strike reputations dead.

 

Myself

 

Lifes encounters make you who you are

Your decisions shape you and make you

I am me and me is who I am

And don't forget no one listens at seventeen

Mistakes must be made and lessons learned

Loved to be found and love to be lost

Hearts to be broken and memories forgot

When I look in the mirror

Sometimes I don't like what I see

And sometimes it is a stranger staring back at me

But I will always be me

The sands of an hourglass are whispering to me.

[U4ea]

*smiles* ya'll are so much better at this than I am!

 

I was searching for a poem that I read a while back (like High School...) called "For Whom the Bell Tolls." While I was searching, I found this little jem:

 

Characters in "For Whom the Bell Tolls"

 

    * Robert Jordan – American university instructor of Spanish language and a specialist in demolitions and explosives.

 

I always wondered where Jim picked the name up. I guess it's pretty apparent that, while I've read the poem, I've never read the novel. *laughs* Leave it to a literary geek like Jim to have picked a character like this one to borrow a name from!

 

So, back to poetry:

 

 

This is actually just a quote, but when I read it in High School, it was presented as poetry. I'll break the lines up so you can see why:

 

For Whom The Bell Tolls, by John Donne (1624)

 

 

No man is an island,

entire of itself;

every man is a piece of the continent,

a part of the main.

If a clod be washed away by the sea,

Europe is the less,

as well as if a promontory were,

as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were:

any man's death diminishes me,

because I am involved in mankind,

and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;

it tolls for thee.

[twinflower]

Just to add to this..

 

I also picked this out while I was looking through some of my old poetry stuff.  I don't know that it actually has anything to do with the novel, For Whom the Bell Toll's...however there is this:

 

These famous words by John Donne were not originally written as a poem - the passage is taken from the 1624 Meditation 17, from Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions and is prose. The words of the original passage are as follows:

 

John Donne

Meditation 17

Devotions upon Emergent Occasions

 

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were. Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee..."

 

[Auld Manriva]

Twin wanted Poetry ......  ;)

Sooooo .... What Twinnie wants ... ;D

 

There was a lass from old Loch Morar

Who was caught making out in a car

When her father he asked

Why Lovers Lane they had passed

Said the lass, "we were close it was far!"

 

Asked her Dad, "Did we raise ye sae stupid?"

That ye'dornt ken whit a scoundrel is cupid?"

With a smile that was more of a smirk

Her answer was of course knee jerk

"We waur just doin' what Maw and You did!"

8)

[twinflower]

*busts out laughing*

 

everyone should have a pirate like you!!!  *taking his face in her hands, gives the Auld man a smooch*

 

thank you! 

 

*chuckles off and on for aobut an hour*

[Taei]

*goes digging through old poetry*

 

Married Bliss by me

 

The smell of you

What does it do?

Of that I'm not for sure.

 

It fills me up

It makes me think

Of all the love we share.

 

The days are bright

You hold me tight

And say you'll never let me go.

 

Life has bumps

And it has bends

We're in it together to the end.

 

Hand in hand

And arm in arm

Facing it together without alarm.

 

I lead you

And you lead me

Together a whole life to see.

 

No one the boss

Just together we

Explore our life with serenity.

 

Each day a delight

Each day a surprise

We look for something new to find.

 

Each night we go

To bed and know

There's no where else to be.

 

Than in each other's

Open arms

Wrapped in serenity.

 

He wraps me up

With both his arms

And whipers "I love you".

 

I whisper back

"I love you, too"

Then I smile and dream of you.

 

------------------------------

 

Jabberwocky by Louis Carroll

 

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

    Did gyre and gimble in the wade;

All mimsy were the borogoves,

    And the mome raths outgrabe.

 

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

    The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun

    The frumious Bandersnatch!"

 

He took his vorpal sword in hand:

    Long time the manxome foe he sought --

So rested he by the Tumtum tree.

    And stood awhile in thought.

 

And as in uffish thought he stood,

    The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,

Came wiffling through the tulgey wood,

    And burbled as it came!

 

One, two! One, two! And through and through

    The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!

He left it dead, and with its head

    He went galumphing back.

 

"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?

    Come to my arms, my beamish boy!

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"

    He chortled in his joy.

 

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

    Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;

All mimsy were the borogoves,

    And the mome raths outgrabe.

[twinflower]

*claps and giggles*

 

OH well one Taei..sweetie I am NEVER going to spell your name right except by accident I think!  I"m sorry..just confuse all those vowels....bad twinnie!!

 

*grins*  Those days when marriage is that "married bliss"  you have captured absolutly!!  Well done!

 

*giggles*  I love Jabberwocky!  I can remember my Grandma going into that and wondering at first if she had alzhiemers!!! But of course she didn't..and I learned a very fun love of words from her! Thank you!

[Auld Manriva]

Now and again I like to re-work song lyrics into something of a poem... Not that they don't have rhyme or meter to begin with. I just make them into something I can memorize and recite over the CB late at night when driving to amuse myself. I started this a long time ago with a Frank Zappa song called Camarillo Brillo.. It was about a "Magic Mama who could throw a mean Tarot."

 

BUT.... this is a song, with a bit of darkness and streetwise cynicism to it. It was written by James Hall, the frontman and vocalist for a now defunct New Orleans rock band called The Pleasure Club.. I love the "Noir" feel to this song.

 

HERE COMES THE TRICK

 

Summer sun sets in the dusty air

The big tent was full of people

They came from everywhere

 

The wounded and the broken

The faithful and the bruised

They're coming for salvation

They're coming for the news

 

Standing in the spotlight

The very Reverend Slick

Well now they're passing out them baskets

Here comes the trick

 

Well the man and his assistant

Who's barely half his age

They got a little system

Where he locks her in a cage

Pulls the drape around her

And taps her with his wand

People sit and wonder

At the disappearing blonde

 

Ooh yeah, she grabs her money quick

Well as they're leaving through the back door

Here comes the trick

 

Baby you can trust me

You know it's not that hard

If you want to trust me

Pick a card .. any card .. that's right

 

Little Willie Loman in a city full of sin

With a pocket full of money

And a belly full of gin

He gots this conversation

With a girl who's in the game

He wakes up in the morning

Oh man he's so ashamed

 

Ooh now .. he thinks he might be sick

Well now he's reaching for his wallet

Here comes the trick

 

James Hall

[twinflower]

*tilts head, listening..at the end smiles, shakes head and claps, walking up to Manny on stage and puts her arm around him*

 

Thank you dear one!  Most of you don't know Manny really well yet...but over time you will..and you'll find he comes up with these gems, like the above poem/song lyrics!  He has a wonderful and ecclectic knowledge of music and just stuff!!!  He will make you think, laugh and sometimes touch your heart!

 

I have really missed this side of you my Pirate!  Thanks!

 

Now to change things up a bit..and continue on with the Noir overtones Manny introduced..a poem from Edgar Allen Poe. 

 

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door

Only this, and nothing more."

 

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,

And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.

Eagerly I wished the morrow; vainly I had sought to borrow

From my books surcease of sorrow sorrow for the lost Lenore

For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore

Nameless here for evermore.

 

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain

Thrilled me filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;

So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating

"'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door

Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;

This it is, and nothing more,"

 

Presently my heart grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,

"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;

But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,

And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,

That I scarce was sure I heard you" -- here I opened wide the door;

Darkness there, and nothing more.

 

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,

Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream to dream before;

But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,

And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore!"

This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word "Lenore!"

Merely this and nothing more.

 

Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,

Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.

"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice;

Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore

Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;

'Tis the wind and nothing more!"

 

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,

In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.

Not the least obeisance made he; not an instant stopped or stayed he;

But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door

Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door

Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

 

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,

By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,

"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven.

Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore

Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"

Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

 

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,

Though its answer little meaning little relevancy bore;

For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being

Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door

Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door,

With such name as "Nevermore."

 

But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only

That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.

Nothing further then he uttered not a feather then he fluttered

Till I scarcely more than muttered "Other friends have flown before

On the morrow will he leave me, as my hopes have flown before."

Then the bird said, "Nevermore."

 

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,

"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,

Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster

Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore

Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore

Of 'Never-nevermore.'"

 

But the Raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,

Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;

Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking

Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore

What this grim, ungainly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore

Meant in croaking "Nevermore."

 

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing

To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;

This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining

On the cushion's velvet violet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,

But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er,

She shall press, ah, nevermore!

 

Then, methought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer

Swung by angels whose faint foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.

"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he has sent thee

Respite - respite and nepenthe from the memories of Lenore!

Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!"

Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

 

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!  prophet still, if bird or devil!

Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,

Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted

On this home by Horror haunted  tell me truly, I implore

Is there  is there balm in Gilead?  tell me  tell me, I implore!"

Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

 

"Prophet!' said I, "thing of evil!  prophet still, if bird or devil!

By that Heaven that bends above us  by that God we both adore

Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,

It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels named Lenore

Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels named Lenore?"

Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

 

"Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!" I shrieked upstarting

"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!

Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!

Leave my loneliness unbroken! quit the bust above my door!

Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"

Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

 

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,

And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor

Shall be lifted  nevermore