As I pondered quickly reading
In a trail of tears succeeding
With my mind and mem’ry pleading
For this horror to be leaving,
In my ears I hear a rapping,
Like a raven gently tapping,
Tapping at my chamber door;
Sounds I never knew before.
Must be just the wild wind wafting,
Whipping wickets plump and zaftig;
To the door then deftly running
To identify the distant drumming.
Grabbed the knob and swung it open,
Looking leering lamely groping,
Hoping for familiar lore:
Looking for America before.
Through the dark deserted doorway,
Searching for the shining sun ray,
The lamp upon the teeming shore:
The America I knew before
A land of robust constitution;
All races making contribution;
A bouillabaisse of hope galore:
The America I knew before.
But before me in the doorway
Only empty space implored me
To forget the friendly facets
Of the gem that now stands tacit.
Where’s the nation sorely blessed
By gods of justice well confessed?
Will I find the place I knew before?
Quoth the raven “Nevermore.”