Post making contest 6.0

One
A Poem

A Raven

Midnights so dreary, tired and weary,
  Silently pondering volumes extolling all by-now obsolete lore.
During my rather long nap - the weirdest tap!
  An ominous vibrating sound disturbing my chamber's antedoor.
    "This", I whispered quietly, "I ignore".

Perfectly, the intellect remembers: the ghostly fires, a glittering ember.
  Inflamed by lightning's outbursts, windows cast penumbras upon this floor.
Sorrowful, as one mistreated, unhappy thoughts I heeded:
  That inimitable lesson in elegance - Lenore -
    Is delighting, exciting...nevermore.

Ominously, curtains parted (my serenity outsmarted),
  And fear overcame my being - the fear of "forevermore".
Fearful foreboding abided, selfish sentiment confided,
  As I said, "Methinks mysterious traveler knocks afore.
    A man is visiting, of age threescore."

Taking little time, briskly addressing something: "Sir," (robustly)
  "Tell what source originates clamorous noise afore?
Disturbing sleep unkindly, is it you a-tapping, so slyly?
  Why, devil incarnate!--" Here completely unveiled I my antedoor--
    Just darkness, I ascertained - nothing more.

While surrounded by darkness then, I persevered to clearly comprehend.
  I perceived the weirdest dream...of everlasting "nevermores".
Quite, quite, quick nocturnal doubts fled - such relief! - as my intellect said,
  (Desiring, imagining still) that perchance the apparition was uttering a whispered "Lenore".
    This only, as evermore.

Silently, I reinforced, remaining anxious, quite scared, afraid,
  While intrusive tap did then come thrice - O, so stronger than sounded afore.
"Surely" (said silently) "it was the banging, clanging window lattice."
  Glancing out, I quaked, upset by horrors hereinbefore,
    Perceiving: a "nevermore".

Completely disturbed, I said, "Utter, please, what prevails ahead.
  Repose, relief, cessation, or but more dreary 'nevermores'?"
The bird intruded thence - O, irritation ever since! -
  Then sat on Pallas' pallid bust, watching me (I sat not, therefore),
    And stated "nevermores".

Bemused by raven's dissonance, my soul exclaimed, "I seek intelligence;
  Explain thy purpose, or soon cease intoning forlorn 'nevermores'!"
"Nevermores", winged corvus proclaimed - thusly was a raven named?
  Actually maintain a surname, upon Pluvious seashore?
    I heard an oppressive "nevermore".

My sentiments extremely pained, to perceive an utterance so plain,
  Most interested, mystified, a meaning I hoped for.
"Surely," said the raven's watcher, "separate discourse is wiser.
  Therefore, liberation I'll obtain, retreating heretofore -
    Eliminating all the 'nevermores' ".

Still, the detestable raven just remained, unmoving, on sculptured bust.
  Always saying "never" (by a red chamber's door).
A poor, tender heartache maven - a sorrowful bird - a raven!
  O, I wished thoroughly, forthwith, that he'd fly heretofore.
    Still sitting, he recited "nevermores".

The raven's dirge induced alarm - "nevermore" quite wearisome.
  I meditated: "Might its utterances summarize of a calamity before?"
O, a sadness was manifest - a sorrowful cry of unrest;
  "O," I thought sincerely, "it's a melancholy great - furthermore,
    Removing doubt, this explains 'nevermores' ".

Seizing just that moment to sit - closely, carefully, advancing beside it,
  Sinking down, intrigued, where velvet cushion lay afore.
A creature, midnight-black, watched there - it studied my soul, unawares.
  Wherefore, explanations my insight entreated for.
    Silently, I pondered the "nevermores".

"Disentangle, nefarious bird! Disengage - I am disturbed!"
  Intently its eye burned, raising the cry within my core.
"That delectable Lenore - whose velvet pillow this was, heretofore,
  Departed thence, unsettling my consciousness therefore.
    She's returning - that maiden - aye, nevermore."

Since, to me, that thought was madness, I renounced continuing sadness.
  Continuing on, I soundly, adamantly forswore:
"Wretch," (addressing blackbird only) "fly swiftly - emancipate me!"
  "Respite, respite, detestable raven - and discharge me, I implore!"
    A ghostly answer of: "nevermore".

" 'Tis a prophet? Wraith? Strange devil? Or the ultimate evil?"
  "Answer, tempter-sent creature!", I inquired, like before.
"Forlorn, though firmly undaunted, with 'nevermores' quite indoctrinated,
  Is everything depressing, generating great sorrow evermore?
    I am subdued!", I then swore.

In answer, the raven turned - relentless distress it spurned.
  "Comfort, surcease, quiet, silence!" - pleaded I for.
"Will my (abusive raven!) sorrows persist unabated?
  Nevermore Lenore respondeth?", adamantly I encored.
    The appeal was ignored.

"O, satanic inferno's denizen -- go!", I said boldly, standing then.
  "Take henceforth loathsome "nevermores" - O, to an ugly Plutonian shore!
Let nary one expression, O bird, remain still here, replacing mirth.
  Promptly leave and retreat!", I resolutely swore.
    Blackbird's riposte: "nevermore".

So he sitteth, observing always, perching ominously on these doorways.
  Squatting on the stony bust so untroubled, O therefore.
Suffering stark raven's conversings, so I am condemned, subserving,
  To a nightmare cursed, containing miseries galore.
    Thus henceforth, I'll rise (from a darkness, a grave) -- nevermore!

      -- Allanpoe, E.