How fitting that today, Election Day, is also Dia de los Muertos
(The Day of the Dead ... and no, not that George Romero film). I got to thinking of things death-related and, of course, Edgar Allen Poe came to mind.
After reflecting on the (seemingly outlandish) theory that Poe's death resulted from being abducted and repeatedly doped up and forced to vote by election-rigging thugs in Baltimore (an apparently common practice in those days), I was inspired to write a bit of political satire based on Poe's immortal "The Raven".
It's called "The Ravin'" and it's a work in progress, but here's a snippet or two:
(With deepest apologies to Edgar):
Once upon Tuesday dreary, while I read, hungover, bleary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of election lore,
While I read blogs with news astounding, suddenly there came resounding,
The sound of someone roughly pounding, pounding at my chamber door.
``Tis some freaking campaign worker,' I muttered, `pounding at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.'
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak November,
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 an ease from sorrow - sorrow for those lost in war -
For the poor young soldiers, wasted on the altar of war
Nameless here for evermore.
Reports of fraud by Halliburton, election polls still too uncertain
Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
... [working on this portion]
'Profiteer!' said I, 'thing of evil! - stoking fright to unknown levels! -
Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate, yet all undaunted, on this sacred land enchanted -
To America, horror-haunted - tell me truly, I implore -
Will we be safe here once again - tell me - tell me, I implore!'
Quoth Dick Cheney, 'Nevermore!'
'Neocon!' said I, 'thing of evil! - In sowing fear you seem to revel!
By that Heaven that bends above us - by that God we both adore -
Tell this soul with sorrow sutured if, within some brighter future,
We can sleep in night's dark shelter, safely and secure,
Slumber on night's ebon shoulder, security assured?'
Quoth Dick Cheney, 'Go fuck yourself.'
When I get more down, I'll post it.