The Raven                      The Ellis-Huber Christmas Poem 2016

Once upon a year so dreary, politics so wild and weary,
Arguments so quaint and curious, unfamiliar use of lore—
While I nodded, sometimes napping, suddenly there came a yapping,
As of candidates gently snapping, snapping as if t’were a war.
“’Tis only a primary,” I muttered, “yapping I have heard before—
Only this and nothing more.”

But the yapping became more noisy, as the prospects grew less rosy
Scared me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
“’Tis only a primary entreating entrance at the White House door—
Some strange visitor entreating entrance at the mansion door;—
This it is and nothing more.”

Presently concern grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
Words like “Sir” and “Madam”, scarce-used civil words appeared no more;
Soon the facts no longer mattered as emotions became more shattered,
Soon opinions grew more scattered, chattered just outside my door,
Not quite sure that I had heard it—here I opened wide the door;—
Darkness there and nothing more.

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak September;
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I tried to ignore it, even though I still deplored it
All my thoughts were filled with sorrow—sorrow for the lost true core—
Came the thought so sad and evil, worse time since the Wizard war—
Trump is our Lord Voldemort.

November came as we were fearing, long we stood there wondering, tearing,
Wishing undone, dreaming dreams no liberal dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the election gave no token,
And the words e’er spoken were whispered words, “Lord Voldemort?”
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back, “Lord Voldemort.”—
Merely this and nothing more.

Now December, feeling bitter, as the trees begin to glitter,
Soon again I hear a twitter somewhat louder than before.
“Surely,” said I, “surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what the threat is, and this mystery explore—
I let my mind stop just a moment and this mystery explore;—
’Tis only Santa, nothing more!”

Santa saved us from our ruing, distracted us from all our stewing
Christmas tree our nightly viewing, ‘minding us of days of yore;
Now we pray for all united, keeping spirits undivided;
Wishing peace and love re-invited, mistletoe above your door—
Christmas prayers we do implore for elves and wizards, Dumbledore—
And Harry Potter, ever more!

(c) 2016 Randall P Ellis