Salutations, my delightful digital friends!
In honor of Halloween this week, I have written a poem with a wee nod to my favorite dark poet, Edgar Allan Poe.
And just in case the Poe-vibe is not your taste, perhaps I could interest you in following the breadcrumbs of historical and religious allusions that bind this poem together?
No? Then perhaps your profound appreciation for rhyme and meter creating tempo in this poem are more your flavor?
Regardless… even if for none of the aforementioned enticements, I truly hope you enjoy this dense and dark poem. For any reason your tell-tale hearts desire.
Please let me know your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to this poem in the ‘Leave a Reply’ comment section at the bottom of this page.
Happy Halloween!
-PS Conway ☘️ 🖤 ☘️
☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️
a raven named Robespierre
the madman rocks and rocks in his chair
stirred by a raven named Robespierre
for between scratchy rasps and corvid croaks
it spoke such words from its strident throat
freedom! it raved and pecked at the cage
that could not contain its avian rage
that could not contain its judgment within
damning the man for original sin
damning the man again and again
a homily straight from Saint Augustine
a scar on his halo… his soul unclean
blood on his hands the gruesome result
of his fealty to the Supreme Being cult
the raven its prophet Isaiah reborn
murder! it chortled with true godly scorn
it was all too much for his broken mind
and the truth could never have been less kind
to be sane in a world of madmen
is in itself madness, he recalled Rousseau
the raven scoffed crudely and preened for show
the madman rocks and rocks in his chair
stirred by a raven named Robespierre
Just as dastardly as damaged brain cells affect function of both those with dementia and the ones who live and care for them.
Indeed 🖤🙏🏻🌹✨
I may be off base with my interpretation of this poem, but I can see the bird serving as a symbol of the human conscience reminding us of what is trapped within our own minds and fighting to get free and the guilt we feel for what has been committed by our own hands. Great poem, even if I did not interpret it well. 😂
I love this interpretation, PS!!! To me, the only thing that matters is what you saw and felt in the words… so thank you so much!!! Cheers, my friend 🖤🙏🏻🍷🌹✨
Well, this poem rocked my chair. Love the rhyming and for that same reason I like Poe’s work, my favourite of his being ‘Alone’.
The Raven is a mystical covid, rarely seen, though I did see them in the wilds of South West Cork. Love the name Robespierre.
Great poem and a lovely homage to a great poet.
🙏🍀🍀🍀🕸🦇
You had me at “rocked my chair,” Sandie! Love it! So glad you liked my endeavor to provide that wee homage to some dark, seasonal Poe-etry… hehe… yeah I went here. Cheers! 🍷🙏🏻🌹🖤🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛
Well you sent me down the rabbit hole of my university degree in French lit and its corresponding history. I always kind of liked Robbespierre for being such a badass and an atheist, even though many people died by his extremes. Sorry Pat. 🙃
Sorry for the French, folks, too, under Robespierre’s reign of terror… LOL… I’m glad the poem got in your brain, Naomi. Always makes it ever-so-much more fun! Happy Halloween! 🎃🙏🏻🖤🍷🌹🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛
Great poem, great language, also a brilliant illustration by…?
Thanks so much. The pic came from a free-use, open license site with no attribution provided, sadly! 🖤🙏🏻🌹🍷🐦⬛✨