The Owl
(A Nightmare Night Tribute)
By Ponydora Prancypants
With apologies and sincere thanks to Edgar Allen Poe for "The Raven"
My cheeks were flushed beet red, not ruddy, as I flopped down in Twilight's study
And thought of how I spent an entire day hunting gems for you
As I nodded, nearly sleeping, I saw a shadow slowly creeping
Outside the study window, pausing, pausing then and peering through
"'Tis only that infernal owl," I muttered, who is peering through
At that moment, in he flew.
"Owloysius please leave me be," I said to the owl sternly
Hopeful that the creature would allow me peace to dream of you
For though I ceaselessly had toiled, my lover's aim was fully foiled
I earned only grateful patting, petting for all that I do
Sometimes gems for midnight snacking are my one reward from you
That is all, but I make do.
"All I want is peace and silence, don't make me resort to violence!"
I told the owl to leave me, leave me be to turn my thoughts to you
That I could lose myself dreaming, of you, radiant and gleaming
"Don't you see, you bird so creepy, creepily perching in my view?
I want to dream of my lady, so begone, begone now, shoo!"
Owloysius asked me "who?"
Presently I filled with fury, I was absolutely sure he
Only wanted to enrage me, tease and taunt me with his silly "who?"
"Don't you know I could be sleeping, but you appeared quietly creeping
In here to annoy and taunt me, taunt me with your question 'who?'
It is mean to act like you don't know who I pledged my heart to."
He only stared and asked me "who?"
Cruel bird! He knew how painful, my long, fruitless, never gainful
Pursuit of you has been; it was if with knife he'd run me through
"Rarity, you dolt," I shouted, and wondered whether he now doubted
My rage at his foolish playing, playing dumb though he well knew
The depth of my love, the measure, how I treasure only you
Unblinkingly he uttered "who?"
My insides hot with fires burning, I was consumed by my yearning
Yearning for when I'd be rewarded for all my days of loving you
"Look, you feathered fiend," I muttered, before the hated word he uttered
"We both know I'll never, never be with her, it's true,
That does not give you the right to pester; go back whence you flew!"
Owloysius asked "who, who?"
As the owl perched there, preening, I pondered on the awful meaning
Of his ceaseless asking, always questioning me about you
When I dreamt of you while snoring, what if I had been ignoring
Questions I should answer – questions about me and you
Maybe he was right to ask me, maybe I should be asking too
Did I honestly know you?
I was struck with indecision, though you are a perfect vision
Your ivory coat and purple mane, your deep fathomless eyes of blue
Truly though you never offered to take in hoof the claw I proffered
You never told me you think fondly, of me, the way I think of you
Your talk seemed mere palaver, had you ever told me something true?
I blinked and softly muttered "who?"
Weak and weary, drained and tired, I thought of what had now transpired
I had to face the awful truth that I would gain nothing loving you
You abused me, used and bruised me, led me on, coldly confused me
Only Owloysius helped me see, what is painful, yes, but true
I never recognized the nature of my unrequited love for you;
How it tore my heart in two.
Did I even merit living, for as a fool I had been giving
All the best of me in a foal's errand; and all of it was all for you
How could I now face my pony friends who'd see me as a phony
Living lies and dreaming, always scheming ways to be with you
Never admitting, never quitting though I'd never get you to
Say the phrase "I love you, too."
"You have beaten me, cruel owl, demon bird, hell's own fell fowl!
Cease to dither, leave me wither, don't bother to bid adieu!
Go you fiend to the black night; I'll be sure to tell Twilight
How callous and with naught but malice, you bade me to see what is true!"
Finally then I recognized the pointlessness of loving you
Staring, the owl asked me "who?"
Who indeed, would keep believing, love led to joy and not to grieving
I promised hence that I would never, my wasted affection e'er renew
He had left me bowed and broken, crushed 'neath the one word he had spoken
Still he repeated – again repeated, his haunting hooted question "who?"
Was he asking who was I, who would slink from and eschew
My hopeless dream of love for you?
"Know you creature, feathered cretin, were I full grown you would be eaten!"
But I could see that all my pretense, all my bluster he could see through
"Fine," said I, "you want to know, who lies before you, here below?
It's Spike the dragon." – a dragon Owloysius damned well knew
Then wide I opened up my eyes, I opened them and then I knew
I'd never quit my love for you.
Dragons never fail or falter, never accept saddle or halter
We cannot be burned by fire, like that which burns in me for you
Though I have lived with sorrow laden, pining for you, albescent maiden
Now with calm determination, must I go - go straight to you
To tell you of my burning passion, churning in my heart for you
Quoth Owloysius only "who?"
"How you mock me, callous creature, but now I must leave to beseech her
To return my sacred feelings, kept inside me safe and true
Know this, nocturnal invader, I will never curse what made her
The pony who I am destined, destined to give my heart to."
Standing I felt deep within a surge of my pure love for you
Gallantly I yelled "whoo hoo!"
Suddenly, though, I felt mired; realizing I was so tired
From my day of working myself to the bone, and all for you
I looked at the owl perching, fury gone for his besmirching
My belief that I will prove someday that I'm the one for you
But then I was far too exhausted, needing the sleep that I was due
The owl winked and uttered "who!"