The Keeshond - With Apologies to Poe

By Paul Roberts

There have been many “copycat” versions of Edgar Allen Poe’s classic poem “The Raven.” I thought this Halloween I’d try my own version.

                                  The Keeshond 

Once upon an afternoon rainy, while I pondered, with my brainy,

Over many a quaint and curious video in my online store-

While I was napping (imagine the timing) suddenly there came a whining

As of someone sad and pining, pining at my office door.

“Tis just Cleo,” I muttered, “pining at my office door-

Only my pup and nothing more.” 

Ah, distinctly I remember in one day ‘twould be November;

Cleo’s whine made me remember that ghosts tonight would be at the door.

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

From the rain surcease of sorrow—walking in the rain ’s a bore—

And the year old worn out rain boots often made my tootsies sore—

            Oooh, the pain, for evermore.

Presently her whines grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,

“Cleo” said I, “you silly, truly your forgiveness I implore;

But you’re interrupting with your timing, my nap when you came whining

And so faintly you came pining, pining at my office door,

That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—

            There she sat with fur galore.

Deep into those dark eyes peering, knowing that the time was nearing

For trick or treaters to come cheering, cheering at my door;

And that Cleo, though house broken, would jump on kids rain soaken,

And the only words there spoken would be shouted, “Close the door!”

“Shall we walk?” This I whispered, and this doggy I adore—

            Jumped with all four feet off the floor.

Back into the neighborhood turning, all my toes in my boots burning 

I knew the exercise would keep her calmer than before.

“Surely,” said I, “surely there is something in my windowed office;

      For Cleo, who is a Halloween novice, to sit and chew and explore

Let her barks be still for an hour and ignore the knocks on the door;—

            ’Tis the wind and nothing more!”

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Personally, I don’t care for scary movies, or particularly scary fiction. Share with us how you feel about that unusual genre “horror stories.”

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