A bird brought a question.

I wrote this several years ago when I had just begun to familiarize myself with the works of Edgar Allan Poe, as Im sure you will all see.

Late was the hour when
the once-young man awoke
to the sound of 
smothered laughters and flapping wings
a full night of gin, pale sweat and fire's crackle escaped from mind

Late was the hour when
the not-so young man felt
a chill down his neck
as were it the whisper of a child

Late was the hour when
the no-longer young man saw
the raven velvet black
sitting upon the broken frame of the once-young man's family portrait
its lifeless eyes peering back at him, gazing his very soul

Late was the hour when
the not-so young man rose
to drive the black spirit off
as it took flight atop a golden curtain rod
ever watching the man no longer young
embracing the portrait the last remnant memory
of those whose lives he'd stolen

Late was the hour when
the once-innocent man watched
in horror the picture crumble
the once-vibrant faces fading to blackness
dissolving softly upon the dusty, sorrow-ridden floor

Many a year it was as
the not-so innocent man fell
and the raven velvet black
vanished as whence it came

Author's Note

I know that this is borderline plagiarism, but I ask any potential reviewer to look past this and take it for what it is. A little word play inspired by one of the greats.

Reviews

[RAOrourke]

I actually really enjoyed this! I wasn't hung up on this being plagiarism at all. You retold the story well with great visualization. I enjoyed the flow and the images brought to mind as I read this!