'Twas upon a dark night dreary
That I saw with my eyes bleary,
The vision, grim and eerie, 
That would plague me evermore.
It was a face I will remember
Till I die, for each foul member
Was stark in the dark November
Night that cloaked the beaked eyesore.
For a bird of gothic gore
Was the guise that the fiend wore.

Its eyes, blue, were most unpleasing
For they fixed a glare unceasing
On mine. In terror, increasing,
I froze till I blinked no more.
Then its sharp beak seemed to burrow
Through my soul; a yawning furrow
It ploughed. 'Twas a true and thorough
Dissection of my mind's core.
'Twas a panoptic unveiling
Of my sins; my every failing
Was laid bare and unavailing
Were my pleas that they once more
Be veiled as they were before. 
'No' said It. 'You'll hide no more'

I was seized by an unease
Which by slow measured degrees
Became a chronic disease
Of the mind; I was done for! 
And since that night on my face 
I've worn a look I can't erase. 
It's one of shame and deep disgrace
For all eyes through mine can bore
Into my soul; secrets no more 
Are all that I hid before!