91. The Raven

(Dedicated to Edgar Allan Poe)

A raven sat upon my roof
And croaked, “The war’s begun.
You who live from the world aloof,
Rise to protect your own!”

I answered him, “Oh ominous bird!
What do you want from me?
I don’t believe, true are the words
You’ve said so hastily.

I hear nor drumming nor gun shots,
Smoke does not cloud the sky.
Whether you’re right I have my doubts,
So leave me, ‘way you fly.”

The raven’s laugh was thundering,
“You fool, your eyes are blind.
They do not see the simplest things.
I’ll ope them, look behind.”

I saw the trees that’d been so haught
Burn, shed the loathsome smoke.
I’d, ‘thout delay, to draw the sword
To let the world not choke.

I rushed into the house of mine
‘Thout thanking the wise raven.
When I came back, under my vine
A sword lay to be taken.

“Thank you,” I cried into the sky,
“I’ll try to do my best.
For peace I’ll fight, for peace I’ll die,
But this war will be last.”

22.12.97, 2.01.98