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The Crow by Edger Allen Poe



Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -

Only this, and nothing more.'



Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,

And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.

Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow

From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore -

For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore -

Nameless here for evermore.



And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain

Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;

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,'



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,

That I scarce was sure I heard you' - here I opened wide the door; -

Darkness there, and nothing more.



Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,

Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;

But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,

And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!'

This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!'

Merely this and nothing more.



Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,

Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.

`Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice;

Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore -

Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; -

'Tis the wind and nothing more!'



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.



Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,

By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,

`Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, `art sure no craven.

Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore -

Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!'

Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'



Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,

Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore;

For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being

Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door -

Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door,

With such name as `Nevermore.'



But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only,

That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.

Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered -

Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before -

On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.'

Then the bird said, `Nevermore.'



Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,

`Doubtless,' said I, `what it utters is its only stock and store,

Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster

Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore -

Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden bore

Of "Never-nevermore."'



But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,

Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;

Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking

Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore -

What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore

Meant in croaking `Nevermore.'



This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing

To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;

This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining

On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,

But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er,

She shall press, ah, nevermore!



Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer

Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.

`Wretch,' I cried, `thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he has sent thee

Respite - respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!

Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!'

Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'



`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! -

Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,

Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted -

On this home by horror haunted - tell me truly, I implore -

Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!'

Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'



`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil!

By that Heaven that bends above us - by that God we both adore -

Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,

It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels named Lenore -

Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels named Lenore?'

Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'



`Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!' I shrieked upstarting -

`Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!

Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!

Leave my loneliness unbroken! - quit the bust above my door!

Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!'

Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'



And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,

And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor

Shall be lifted - nevermore!

COMMENTS

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Bellanova333
21:08 Dec 18 2010

I lose myself in that poem each and every time ; )

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Thoughts on Submission







While there is no "generic submissive", submissives seem to share



some traits. Among them are a desire to please and the strength to



release control to another. Some do not understand this need and



desire and feel they are different. Some feel there is something wrong with having these feelings. They watch others around them and wonder why they don't seem to share or understand the desires they feel. For some, this desire to please and release control is hidden because feeling different is uncomfortable. If they discover that there is a lifestyle that embraces their desires, they will find an understanding that can soothe them. Many do not find that understanding until they are encumbered with relationships or family. They find the understanding of their desires, but find themselves unable to live them. Finding that one isn't alone in feeling these desires is comforting. Being unable to live them becomes very confining. Some find an outlet, some do not.





For those fortunate enough to discover that they aren't alone and have the freedom to explore their desires, other challenges await them. They feel they have something special to offer in a relationship, but whom should they offer it to. Will they be safe? Who should they trust?







Meeting other submissives with similar needs and desires creates



another problem. They discover that others are living their desires and dreams and the discussions between them create a deep need to experience the same sensations that their newfound friend is enjoying. This stage can create a frenzy so intense, that core values and common sense are forgotten, just to feel what has been racing through their mind. It is the most dangerous time a submissive will ever face. It is a time for friends to step forward and offer advice and caution.







Once a submissive has safely passed through the frenzy of discovery and exploration, it becomes time to begin the search for a partner that can understand their needs and desires and meet them. This is not an easy task. There will be errors in judgment, bad decisions, and even the possibility of mental and/or physical harm. If a submissive will take responsibility for their own safety, the potential harm can be minimized or eliminated. Often, this is simply a function of refusing to rush into meetings and encounters until a level of rapport and trust has been established. Setting forth their core values, as well as their needs, desires, and fantasies, adds a balance to early meetings. If the values and desires are consistent between the potential partners there is a possibility that both will find happiness.







Once a submissive finds a Master, a new set of challenges appears.



Both must be prepared to accept these new challenges and work



together to conquer them. They will discover that a submissive's life is filled with questions and doubts followed by moments of crystal clarity of purpose. The times of questions and doubts will return often, with clarity returning as questions and doubts are resolved. A wise and responsible Master will quickly answer questions and move to resolve doubts. As trust builds, the times of questions and doubts will lessen as the times of crystal clarity lengthen. There will always be questions and doubts, but building trust through continuing openness and communication, combined with honesty and patience, can diminish the negative impact on the relationship. It just takes work… every day... but for those willing to make the effort, the rewards ARE your dreams come true.



Michael Montgomery



Excerpted from the book "nytewhispers", published January, 2002

Went to the school of my adopted niece and watched her perform ... there is nothing more innocent than a group of children singing.

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markus666
19:06 Dec 18 2010

You are correct 100%.

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BatsInTheBelphry
16:28 Dec 27 2010

bet that was nice...:)

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he "Black Veil" is a code of vampyre etiquette developed by and for the members of the Sanguinary Society. It is based on common sense and a collected from years of experience. Many Societies and Households have their own versions of this mixture of philosophy and ethics. It is the job of a sire to teach the Black Veil to their childe as part of them becoming Calmae.



Treat others with respect and consideration at all times. Get to know them as you would in any other social situation.



It is disgraceful for an individual to represent the scene to any media organization that would exploit and take advantage of the scene. In addition exhibit any behavior which might threaten the community as a whole, such as attracting negative media exposure or the interest of fundamentalist religious groups.



Honor thy elders, it is proper bow to them or more formal greeting as one would nobility. They are to be addressed as Sire, Milord or Milady at havens and society functions.



Do not approach, make advances on or touch anyone's thralls or children without permission. If you wish to move on someone's kitra (vampyres lover / soul mate) ask permission from both members of the relationship in a polite manner.



First names and pseudonyms usually are used within the scene. Everyone's personal identity is confidential, so avoid using last (or real) names in meetings and pseudonyms in scene settings.



Bloodletting and or blood drinking is not considered proper in a haven or publicly, nor is drinking from unwilling individuals.



During Court, fledglings are to be seen and not heard.



When greeting another sanguine it is proper to employ the sanguine greeting (which varies from scene to scene). Most generally involved the one of lesser notoriety initiating an exchange of kisses on the back of each hand.



Vampyres are ladies and gentlemen; the vampyre aesthetic commonly incorporates traditions past eras and the courtly elements of respect between individuals and the genders. Honor and Chivalry are expected to be carried out as if we grew up with such traditions.



Hospitality is one of the most important things for vampyres, try and make your home or haven open to those from other cities, as long as they respect your local traditions and customs. Honor the traditions and customs of the locals of any new domain you enter, you may learn a great deal.



Everyone's opinion is valid, although it might differ from ones own. Honor someone else's opinion as new knowledge and do not condemn it.



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DarkAngelOfTheMoon18
16:23 Dec 15 2010

wonderful

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I am rebuilding my page please be nice with the ratings till I can finish rebuilding