The Haunted Palace

 

Although Mr. Poe's poem reflects the decaying mind of a depressed
 individual (himself, perhaps)  I think "The Haunted Palace" speaks to
me of the present and rapid decline of the United States of America.

 The "Banners yellow, glorious, golden" the memories of a once great
 free Republic- are fast crumbling into the dustbin of world history.

In the greenest of our valleys

By good angels tenanted,

Once a fair and stately palace-

Radiant palace-reared its head.

In the monarch Thought's dominion,

It stood there!

Never seraph spread a pinion

Over fabric half so fair!

Banners yellow, glorious, golden,

On its roof did float and flow

(This-all this-was in the olden

Time long ago)

And every gentle air that dallied,

In that sweet day,

Along the ramparts plumed and pallid,

A winge'd odor went away.

Wanderers in that happy valley,

Through two luminous windows, saw

Spirits moving musically

To a lute's well-tuned law,

Round about a throne where, sitting,

Porphyrogene!

In state his glory well befittin,

The ruler of the realm was seen.

And all with pearl and ruby glowing

Was the fair palace door,

Through which came flowing, flowing, flowing

And sparkling evermore,

A troop of Echoes, whose sweet duty

Was but to sing,

In voices of surpassing beauty,

The wit and wisdom of their king.

But evil things, in robes of sorrow,

Assailed the monarch's high estate;

(Ah, let us mourn!-for never morrow

Shall dawn upon him, desolate!

And round about his home the glory

That blushed and bloomed

Is but a dim-remembered story

Of the old time entombed.

And travellers, now, within that valley,

Through the red-litten windows see

Vast forms that move fantastically

To a discordant melody;

While, like a ghastly rapid river,

Through the pale door

A hideous throng rush out forever,

And laugh-but smile no more.

"The Haunted Palace"
(1839)
Edgar Allan Poe
(1809-1849)
American writer, poet, editor,
and literary critic.