Adapted from Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven’ – first published 1845
Once upon a night, I was weary and weak as I contemplated. I had worked on many project artifacts until my eyes hurt. I almost fell asleep, but suddenly I heard a tapping.
Ah, I clearly remember it was in the dark December. And each dying ember cast its ghost upon the floor.
Presently, my soul was stronger; hesitating no longer, “Sir,” said I. “But the truth is that I was napping, when you began rapping. And so lightly you started tapping at my office door. That I scarcely believed I heard you.” – Here I opened the door; -Darkness here, and nothing else.
I stared deep into the darkness, wondering, fearing, doubting, and dreaming of dreams no mortal has ever dreamed before. But silence remained, and no word was spoken.
I went back into the office, my soul burning.
Open here I flung the door when, with many a flirt, In there stepped a stately auditor from the saintly days.
The auditor then charmed my sad fancy into smiling.
Much I marvelled at this ungainly auditor’s ability to hear discourse so clearly,Though his answer little significance – little relevance bore; For we cannot help but agree that no living project ever was blessed with seeing an auditor outside his office doors -Man or women outside the darkened hallway outside his offices door,With such a name as Nevermore.
The auditor stood alone in the hall and spoke only One Word.
I was stunned at the silence broken by the reply so aptly said. “Doubtless,” I replied. “Hired from an unhappy master who unmerciful disasterFollowed quickly and followed faster until his songs one burden bore-Till the dirges his hope that melancholy weight boreOf “Never again.” “‘
The auditor was still luring me to smile, so I wheeled a cushioned chair in front of the door and auditor; After that, I began to linkFancy unto fancy, wondering what this ominous, grimy, ungainly auditor was – What this ungainly and ghastly, gauntly, and ominous auditorMeant in singing Nevermore.
This was the moment I became engaged in gues
