Sheol [shee-ohl]

noun, (in Hebrew theology}
1.the abode of the dead or of departed spirits.
2.(lowercase) hell.


According to Raven in Mythology: "The association of the birds with death and war is an obvious reflection of its tendency to eat carrion, plenty of which is to be found in the aftermath of battle. This tendency led, eventually, to the persecution of the raven, as a harbinger of doom and destruction, and also to the common notion in modern European culture that the main attribute of Crow and Raven is their connection with the Otherworld.

For centuries the corvids, ravens and crows in particular, have had a special place in the mythology of various cultures. In modern times this fascination has barely diminished. From Edgar Allen Poe's literary classic to the film of James O'Barr's cult graphic novel "The Crow", these birds still exert a powerful hold over the psyche of a significant fraction of the population. The Goths, who paint their faces with white make-up, and the weekend warriors who expect the Raven to take them to the Otherworld to meet the dead, do not see the same animal as the farmers who set up decoys in order to shoot large numbers of them every year in late spring. This is, however, typical of a creature that presents a paradox wherever one looks.

This poem is based upon I dream I had last night. I seem to have a predisposition to dream of birds as harbingers of doom lately... Much thanks to Domino2 (Ray), tfawcus (Tony), Father Flaps (Kimbob) and Just2Write (Rose), for their kind suggestions, and in helping to make this a better read for everyone. Well, everyone who decides to give it a shot anyway. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone...

As always, thank you very much for reading.

Pleasant Screams...

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