Loneliness, the shadow that now veils my heart.

My soul once did soar like the raven – but no more.

Oh, Edgar Allen! – did you see into the vast emptiness where dwelt my heart

Pierced by that cold, lonely arrow – a vile corruption of Cupid’s dart?

I did not turn to listen, as did you, to the repetition that named our doom.

And yet, perhaps, it was a fault of hearing, and not a curse

– a mis-hearing of repeated verse?

Oh hope, you dangerous fool! Away from me – fly!

Back to the raven’s roost through the tempest-tossed sky.

I remain in sorrow’s horrid grasp, like you, calling out to one who met their fate.

And in so doing, left us behind to ponder and beg

An unwinding of the stiff and unyielding fibers of time.

Loneliness, that shadow veiling my heart – that blot upon my soul

Ever keeps the wound from mending, and nevermore will I be whole.