Once I was a raven slacking, when I thought that I’d go thwacking,
Beholden to a long-forgotten promise I could not ignore.
Soon I heard a distant mumbling of somebody softly grumbling
That someone outside was tumbling, tumbling on his treacherous door.
I thought it strange the words he spoke, grumbling ’bout his treacherous door –
But still I thought, I would implore.
It was in the dead of winter and I had just got a splinter,
Knocking in the shadow of the dreams that had come once before.
Wistfully, I longed for summer, but instead I played a drummer,
Drumming as the newest comer, comer that sought to implore
For the days of gold and amber that I lost but still adore –
Days I lost but still adore.
How the whistling wind was whipping frozen feathers, boldly nipping,
Chilled me – willed me with an urge so strong it shook me to the core.
Thus insisting, I kept thwacking, manners though seemed to be lacking
As somebody kept on yakking and would not open the door –
A foolish someone kept on yakking and would not open the door –
A window then I would explore.
It opened with a zealous blow; a face from summers long ago
Now staring at me wildly like he’d never seen me once before.
I proudly stepped into the room and found myself inside a tomb;
The living dead here seemed to bloom unhappily above the door.
I settled down upon a ghost immortalized above the door,
And then I quoted, “Nevermore”.
The only word my lady left me when she faded, weeping gently,
Asking me to send it for her to the one beyond this door;
But madness lurked behind these eyes, accusing me of willful lies,
He filled the room with all his cries of a lady named Lenore;
But this was not her name, my lady, oh how cruel to call Lenore –
My lady waits now nevermore. Copyright 2013 © Sonya Annita Song
Written for Daily Prompt: Homage.
Reowr 
Brilliant piece Cubby. I love it
I was a little nervous posting it as I thought it might be too underwhelming, but I am glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Excellent piece Cubby, i loved it
Thank you so much, Jerri! 🙂
This was a magnificent and beautiful homage, I am in awe!
It was fun to write. I was afraid of offending Poe fans though hehe. I’m relieved you were not offended! 🙂
You have captured the rhythm and mood of Poe’s poem perfectly! Dark, and stark-raving (raven?) mad! I won’t do a tribute piece, but, if I did, it would be to Robert Frost.
Lol stark-raven mad! Ooo I would love to read a tribute piece to Robert Frost written by you! But I am patient. I can wait indefinitely. 🙂
Great piece Cubby, i kept thinking I know this, I know some of these references well done indeed. Thwacking, great word.
Lol I’m glad you liked the word thwacking. 🙂
Fantastic homage to our dear Edgar…and of course quite fitting for this season…loved how you put it together…rhymes with rhymes! I had a great time reading it…hmm…should I then send you some cookies with white chocolate chips and cranberries…very nice and quite in season too! 😉
I’ve given up on the virtual exercise, so cookies can feel free to hop into my virtual mouth. 🙂
Yeah!
Brilliant homage to Poe’s Raven! Beautiful, Cubby!
Aw, you are too kind. I’m delighted you enjoyed it! 🙂
This is absolutely brilliant! Wow you blew my mind awesome =)
Thank you so much for your generous words. 🙂
Impressive and complex. It’s just wonderful.
I think the words “impressive” and “complex” describe Poe’s style perfectly. 🙂
Beautifully done.
Many kind thanks! 🙂
Beyond words awesome!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
“NEVERMORE”! It reminds me of the “RAVEN” of Edgar Allen Poe. So so beautifully penned dear Cubby…
Ah, it was meant to remind you of Poe, so I am very glad it did. 🙂
“Days I lost but still adore.” That’s my favorite line here. Good stuff. Poe would be proud.
Hehe I would be happy if Poe didn’t bite my head off. Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Reblogged this on canuslupus420's Blog and commented:
Via Reowr
Beautifully written. Must read.
“The only word my lady left me when she faded, weeping gently,” – great line and rhythm. Rolls off the tongue.
I’m happy you like that line in particular as it is the one that explains things the most. 🙂
It is a great line.
Tour-de-force!
Thank you for such a wonderful comment. 🙂
Wow that was sad and lovely at the same time. Loved it!
Your warm words are very much appreciated. Many thanks. 🙂
I dub thee Quoth the Raven henceforth and for evermore …PS loved the switch of perspective btw!
I’ve never been dubbed before! That’s very cool. I’m super happy. 😀
You’re very welcome! 🙂
Reblogged this on Oluwadunni's Blog and commented:
Brilliant…
Beautiful!
I’m glad you think so! 🙂
As I said before, my favorite poet is Edgar Allan Poe. Well, I can only say that you made my day! I love this homage. Great work!
I am relieved my homage didn’t offend you! I was a little worried I would offend some Poe fans. 🙂
Not at all. This is the best way to make a tribute for him. I am actually glad you’re the one who did it because you’re such a talented poet 🙂
Best I read in a while 🙂 Such creativity and rhymth to it.
Thank you so much, Hector! That means a lot to me. 🙂
I have always liked Poe and your take on his “Raven” is a worthy tribute. A while back I also used his poem in “Pigeon Poetry” where I wonder what would have happened if a different sort of bird had knocked Poe’s pane.
Just looked it up and loved it! Glad you enjoyed my tribute too. 🙂
Amazing write, love it…
Thank you so much. 🙂
This was absolutely sublime! Beautifully done.
You are too kind. I am delighted by the favourable response. 🙂
Reblogged this on On The Way To There and commented:
Absolutely Sublime. A great tribute to Edgar Allen Poe by Reowr.
There is no end to your talent. I loved this!
I am so happy you enjoyed this! 🙂
It must have been pretty hard work – but worthwhile! I need to find the poem it relates to. In addition to not having written any poetry since school I’ve not read any – or at least not until I started reading poetry blogs last month…
Simply great, Sonya.
Thank you kindly, Celestine. 🙂
Nice spin on Poe! Mind if I use your stuff in my classroom? I teach 10th grade English.
I would be honoured to have my poetry presented to students. I only ask that you please use my real name, Sonya A. Song, as the author instead of Cubby. 🙂
You got it! I’m going ti spend time reading your work and let you know which ones I use. If you have any suggestions that would be appropriate for high school students, please le me know. 🙂
I’m not sure what kind of poetry you are looking for, but here are a few poems that might be appropriate: Said and Done, The Hermit, What Will Be, and When Silence Cries. If you can tell me what style or characteristics you are looking for, I could find more appropriate poems for you. 🙂
Thanks! I will check these out this weekend. I am looking for examples of tone, literary devices and such. These students think Dr. Suess is the only kind of poetry out there. I am also looking into teaching them slam poetry.
Wow–fancy stuff and good, indeed.
Yes, Poe’s style in The Raven is quite fancy, but accessible. Glad you liked the homage! 🙂
Wow! What a fantastic tribute to “The Raven”! Simply wonderful, Cubby.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you so much, Miranda. 🙂
This is fantastic, Cubby! I enjoyed it so much!
Aw, I am so glad you did! 🙂
Enchanting Cubby! I read the first line then stopped, then ran and read my copy of the Raven, then came back. So I say again fantastic! You’ve captured the rhythm and the aura of the Great Poe! A complex feat indeed! I love how you bring it from the bird’s point of view 🙂 Thank you for this delightful read and for causing me to revisit Poe in his season!
Ah, you are so kind. It is very inspiring to work with something from the greats, and I had a lot of fun writing this piece. I am so delighted you enjoyed it. 🙂
OMG That is the best thing i have read in a long time!! love it, it was spot on poe…my fave poet and fave poem and you smashed it! amazing!
I’m just glad I didn’t disappoint you. 🙂
You’re witty.
Great job!
Thank you kindly! 🙂
I reread Poe recently to remind myself of his poem because of another comment made elsewhere.
He would be proud of this piece. Haunting. Like a scene from a Gothic novel. I was imagining ‘Northanger Abbey’ and ‘Wuthering Heights’.
You never fail to impress.x
Hehe I thought I made it a little comical with some of the word choices, but I’m glad this didn’t detract from the overall mood. 🙂
Jane Austen to a ‘T’ I would say to that! :)x
*applauds* Brilliant. 🙂
You are too kind. 🙂
Well…it seems that everyone has already taken “Brilliant” so…
Excellent. Wonderful. Clever. Lovely. Unbelievably well done.
I love Poe and I love this tribute piece to him. Thanks for sharing this.
– Autore
I was nervous about posting it, but I am glad I did. Thank you so much for your kind words. 🙂
Once again, the rhythm excites the mind. Fascinating to read and hum. 🙂
I’m so glad you thought so! 🙂
I laughed with delight as I read this! Here is how imitation is tribute!
Haha thank you! You are very kind to let me know. 🙂