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 a minute 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.
inktober
Inktober 2016 ~ Raven
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, “Lenore!”—
Merely this and nothing more.
_ Poe
Inktober 2016 ~ Raven
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, “Lenore?”
Inktober 2016 ~ Raven
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
_Poe
Inktober 2016 ~ Raven
That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—
Darkness there and nothing more.
_Poe
Inktober 2016 ~ Raven
Presently my soul 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
_Poe
Inktober 2016 ~ Raven
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.”