Do It Yourself – Remove the pain from your shoulder

Shoulder pain is very unpleasant and can affect any muscles, tendons and ligaments in and around your shoulder. Sometimes the pain is so unbearable, making you unable to work and live properly.

It may occur in any age and everyone can experience this problem, but people who sit prolonged hours and use laptops and computers are more prone to this condition.

Many factors can lead to this problem. Usually, it is injury of the soft tissues, including muscles, ligaments and tendons. This might happen due to repetitive use or overuse injury.

Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can occur if some other body part is hurt, for example – neck or biceps. Other conditions that may cause pain in shoulder are arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, bone spurs, torn cartilage or a broken shoulder bone, frozen shoulder and spinal cord injury.

Sometimes, the pain can be caused by diseases of the cervical spine in the neck as well as liver, heart or gallbladder disease.

Pain can be accompanied with swelling and difficulty moving the shoulder and tenderness around the joint.

If you feel pain in your shoulder, you may treat it at home, but if the pain is persistent, it is advised to visit your doctor. If the pain in severe and unbearable, you must get the diagnosis from your doctor.

Home remedies for treating shoulder pain

Epsom Salt Bath

Epson Salt is rich in magnesium sulfate and it improves blood circulation and helps relax stressed shoulder muscles. Also, it relieves stress from the entire body. Fill your bathtub with warm water and add 2 cups of Epsom salt. Soak in the tub and keep your shoulder submerged for 25 minutes. Repeat the process up to 3, times a week.

Turmeric

Turmeric is excellent remedy for relieving shoulder pain. The curcumin in turmeric is rich in antioxidant and in anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain and swelling.

Prepare a paste: mix 2 tbsp. of turmeric powder and 1 or more coconut oil. Apply this paste onto the aching muscle and let it dry. Rinse off with warm water. Repeat the process twice a day until the pain is gone.

Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to 1 cup of milk and boil it. Add honey to get the sweet taste and drink it twice a day.

You can also take 250 to 500 mg turmeric capsules up to 3 times a day. Always consult your doctor before taking the pills.

Cold Compress

This might be very helpful, since it takes away the inflammation from the hurting spot and reduces pain. Put some ice cubes in a plastic bag and wrap the bag with a thin towel. Place it onto the hurting area up to 15 minutes. Repeat the process for a few days.

Note: Do not place ice directly to your skin because it can cause frostbite.

Hot Compress

This can also help, like a cold compress, reducing pain and swelling. Placing a hot compress to your muscles can reduce the pain also. The best is to place it 48 hours after the injury occurred. Fill a hot water bag and apply it to the aching spot. Repeat for a few days until the pain disappears. Additionally, you can take a hot shower twice a day.

Compression

Applying pressure to painful area can help reduce the swelling. A compression wrap supports your shoulder and can make you feel more comfortable. Elastic bandages are sold on the market. Wrap the hurting area for a few days or until the pain is gone.

Note: do not wrap it too tightly, it can lead to poor blood circulation and actually worsen your condition.

Massage

Massage can be very helpful with relieving the pain. Gentle massage lead to muscle release stress and tension. It will also improve blood circulation and reduce swelling and stiffness. Massage must be conducted by someone who knows who to do it properly, in order not to hurt your shoulder even more.

Massage is best if done with live, coconut, sesame or mustard oil. Warm the oil slightly and apply it on the shoulder. Gently squeeze the shoulder muscles and gently apply pressure as well to relieve pain and encourage blood flow. Keep massaging for about 10 minutes and then put a warm towel on the affected area. Continue massaging until the pain subsides.

Note: Do not massage if it causing more pain.

http://healthcancercures.com/2016/06/14/great-home-remedies-for-shoulder-pain/?fbclid=IwAR1e-l2oVX6VCjdd3HaS9hqHUb3zxri9lw9qCasllFNexX2eZ0U7zjE87lM

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Filipinos are happy for a “strongman” to lead them and have redefined the term to mean a GOOD thing

It still remains no mystery why current Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte enjoys the full support of a majority of Filipino voters. Duterte comes across as strong. He acts and decides and does not dither in his messaging. He has exhibited this character from Day One of his campaign in the lead up to the 2016 elections and has remained consistently in character throughout his presidency since then. That sort of consistency can only be sustained when one is bent on real leadership and not just on mere politics. And, as is evident thus far, Duterte has not deferred to the politics of the status quo and, instead, has steered off-course from that status quo to a degree never seen before.

In the process of going about his business, Duterte has steamrolled his way over many sacred political cows notable of which are our deference to Western-styled “liberalism” and the one-way relationship with Western Europe Filipinos have been subject to for so long. We can see the effects of this in the way the Philippine Opposition now helplessly cries out for a lifeline from their Western European “allies”. That quaint separation anxiety that is now inducing those bratty shrill cries from the Opposition had already become an overtold story thanks to the dramatics of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa. However, it should be highlighted that the key feature of this divergence from the edict of Western liberals is a redefinition of the notion of “strongman”.

The term “strongman” has, until now, been regarded as a bad thing from the perspective of Western liberals. That notion had been deeply-ingrained in Filipinos’ minds over the several decades that the “yellow” narrative of the Aquino-Cojuangco clan enjoyed a virtual monopoly over the national discourse. That narrative equated being strong and decisive as “tyrannical” and being soft and forgiving as “democratic”. It seems it wasn’t enough that the ascent to power of Duterte proved that Filipinos had finally gotten sick of all that traditional thinking. Perhaps that recent cover feature published by TIME Magazine and the opposite-to-the-expected effect it had on Filipinos proves it again. To the consternation of the Opposition, many Filipinos regarded the “strongman” label TIME slapped on Duterte as a source of pride — pride in being supporters of a strong leader.

What is interesting is how many “thought leaders” of the Opposition derided Duterte supporters for not “getting” the message TIME cover was trying to convey. In reality it is the Opposition that had, once again, failed to get it and continue to miss what is really going on today. The reality is, Filipinos don’t see Duterte’s “strongman” leadership as a bad thing.

That Filipinos find safety and security in his strong leadership and continue to validate it in survey after survey is already legend by itself. Looking beyond that and beyond affirmations of approval and popularity delivered by survey firms, Duterte actually clearly demonstrates what strong leadership is in the way he manages his staff. In stark contrast to the manner with which his predecessor, former President Benigno Simeon ‘BS’ Aquino III coddled and even took falls for his buddies in his administration, Duterte has shown a wherewithal to take strong administrative measures to deal with sub-standard performance amongst his leadership team. While Aquino allowed the scandals of massive pork barrel thievery, tragic military and police operation failures, and wholesale mismanagement of key transport infrastructure assets to roll-off the well-oiled hides of his kabarkadas and kamaganaks, Duterte had so far overseen the swift relief of errant public officials and Cabinet members from of their duties.

Most important of all, it takes a true strongman to take the helm and turn his ship towards a completely different course. That, again, the Opposition are lurching noisily as the ship they once sloppily-captained lists and groans as it turns towards a new horizon simply validates that real change is currently in effect. Real change that reforms, after all, often costs the once-powerful. These are people who have the power to churn up the most noise in any process of reform. Suffice to say, the noisiest of the lot are, in fact, the increasingly disenfranchised cliques of once-comfy oligarchs (and their hangers-on) who are left outside of the comfort zone of the court they once held in the halls of power.

The best thing Filipinos can do for now is hang on while the ship that is their country settles into its new course and accelerates to cruising speed. In the hands of a strongman, that in itself, is a challenging maneuver. In the hands of a weakman, practically an impossibility — which is why it is only now, after a long time, that Filipinos are seeing that real change. Again, they just need to hang. The ride won’t be smooth, but it is well worth the journey.

About benign0

benign0 is the Webmaster of GetRealPhilippines.com.

http://www.getrealphilippines.com/blog/2018/05/filipinos-are-happy-for-a-strongman-to-lead-them-and-have-redefined-the-term-to-mean-a-good-thing/

Duterte is not a coward for quitting the ICC, he’s simply fighting the Philippines’ enemies

Duterte knows the law better than his enemies.
(Photo source: TIME)

If there is one thing I learned from the impeachment trial of the late former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, it is the fact that there is no justice in this world unless you take matters into your own hands. I don’t mean you should buy a gun or hire an assassin; I mean be more proactive in getting the people to side with you.

If you have to hire a public relations firm just like what everyone else is doing nowadays, do it. Do not leave it up to “fate” or count on the “goodness” of those who will decide your case to “do the right thing” to get you “off the hook”. It rarely happens because most of the time, those people have already made up their minds after reading what the news outlets, political pundits or the general public have to say about you. This is exactly what happened to Corona during his trial in the hands of the congressmen who voted to impeach him and the senator-judges who voted to oust him from his post.

Those of us who were glued to the tube watching the hearing unfold in 2012 every day for almost six months saw how Corona was crucified by the prosecutors using lies, innuendoes and exaggerations. They presented bloated figures of his savings using power point presentations for shock value. Their idea was, it doesn’t matter if they were proven to be wrong later on as long as they were first to plant the idea in the public’s mind. They know that the initial story, whether true or not, would be hard to erase from the people’s consciousness. It was really a propaganda battle. It’s always a propaganda battle. I call it inception. The game is more endemic now especially in the age of social media where anyone can post false information against you. You just don’t know who is being truthful or is just a member of a PR firm spreading false information. But the good thing is, the truth always prevails in the end with the liars eventually losing their credibility.

It was too bad that Corona, who was a religious man, thought he could trust in the humanity of the senator-judges not to fall for the Liberal Party’s tricks. He mistakenly thought the senator-judges, who would start their sessions with a prayer, would seek the truth. It was too late when the public found out that Corona’s fate was already decided even before the impeachment trial began. One of Corona’s defence lawyers revealed that former President Benigno Simeon Aquino gave “incentives” of P50 million to P100 million each to the senator-judges who voted “guilty”. Only three senators voted to acquit Corona and they were not given their “reward” money. Congressmen who signed the impeachment complaint also received P15 million each. Corona was already toast long before the sham of a trial started.

Had Corona been more savvy and met his tormentors with equal ruthlessness, he would have had a chance to change public perception and would have received more support and sympathy and maybe, just maybe, changed the course of events. Unfortunately, he was too meek and didn’t have a chance against a pack of wolves.

Current Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno seems to have learned from Corona’s mistakes and has adopted a “fighting” stance. Even while on forced indefinite leave, she goes on media blitzes, conducting interviews and accepts speaking engagements left and right. She discusses her case with anyone who cares to listen despite being admonished by her fellow justice Teresita de Castro that since there is a pending quo warranto case against her at the Supreme Court, the matter is sub judice, which means she shouldn’t be talking about them at all.

Embattled Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno ignores the principle of sub judice as she sets out on a media blitz.

Evidently, Sereno is showing arrogance and pretending she doesn’t know the meaning ofsub judice. She keeps talking about her case even after De Castro already reminded her not to talk about it with the public. Members of mainstream media have been nice enough to cover Sereno’s every move and paint her as a lone crusader for “judicial independence” and “reform”. The same media outlets did the opposite to Corona – they featured all the lies the prosecutors used against him on their headlines. That was the reason the public was against him.

It remains to be seen if Sereno’s public relations work will get her “off the hook” and save her from being removed from her post. Her supporters are pleased with her move. She manages to distract them from the fact that she violated the law when she failed to submit more than 10 years of Statements of Assets, Liability and Net worth. However, her colleagues at the judiciary are not swayed by her “charms”. The Supreme Court employees are highly-educated and are not as gullible as her supporters, thank goodness. They are asking her to resign as soon as possible since she no longer commands respect and her violations are tainting the judiciary.

Speaking of fighting back, President Rodrigo Duterte has taken some bold steps to fight back his enemies. His latest move is to withdraw the Philippines’ ratification of the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court. Duterte pointed out that “there appeared to be a concerted effort” between the United Nations special rapporteurs and the ICC special prosecutor to paint him as a “ruthless and heartless violator of human rights who allegedly caused thousands of extrajudicial killings.”

Predictably, members of the Opposition were quick to call Duterte a coward and accused him of being scared to face the international court since it announced it will launch the preliminary examination on the case filed against him by Sen. Antonio Trillanes and lawyer Jude Sabio.

They got it all wrong. A preliminary examination, which is technically collection and verification of information, can actually take many years to finalise. This means that Duterte’s term will be over and he may not even be alive by the time they finish it. Besides, Duterte doesn’t mind others thinking he’s a coward for his decision. He doesn’t really care what his critics and foreigners think of him. That’s bravery, indeed. He wants a truly independent Philippines and thinks that the moment the ICC steps in is the moment they assume the country is a failed state. We all know that’s not true. Even the Opposition knows the Philippines still has a functioning system.

The only reason the Opposition, particularly members of Liberal Party, are desperate for the ICC to meddle in Philippine affairs is because that’s their only hope of removing Duterte and claiming back power. As a matter of fact, if it were one of them being probed by the international community, they would be saying “back off” too. This was evident when they ignored the United Nations’ ruling in favour of international human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin’s case against BS Aquino’s human rights abuse inflicted on former President Gloria Arroyo. The UN body called Arroyo’s detention then “arbitrary” and a violation of international law since she was not receiving fair trial and is being detained and deprived of her liberty. BS Aquino government’s response then was similar to Duterte’s arguments now:

 Arroyo’s case is being heard by Philippine courts, independent bodies that have the “sole jurisdiction” to decide on the detention of accused like her…

“The Philippine government or any international body, for that matter, cannot interfere nor influence the course of an independent judicial proceeding.”

The Liberal Party’s inconsistencies are making them look desperate and pathetic. All of a sudden they do not believe in the justice system in the country just because they are not in power anymore. Their insistence on the ICC pursuing Duterte is a slap on the faces of the men and women who work hard to keep the country together. Current Vice President Leni Robredo said that Duterte’s withdrawal from the ICC will affect the international community’s perception of the Philippines in honouring commitments. Never mind that the United States also withdrew from the ICC in 2002 under former President Bill Clinton citing ambiguity of the court and the danger it posed in prosecuting American citizens. And it turns out the Philippines and Cambodia are the only signatories from the ASEAN countries.

It’s hard to blame Duterte for his decision to withdraw the country’s commitment to the ICC. It’s apparent that Western media have already painted him as a mass murderer. One cannot be too sure which ideology the ICC prosecutor leans toward. Is she a liberal supporter? Will she respect the country’s sovereignty once she realises that the cases of alleged extra-judicial killings are being processed properly by the local courts?  It’s easier to assume that Duterte’s fate has already been decided upon even before his trial has begun because of mainstream media’s negative write-ups about him.

It’s only right for Duterte to fight back since his enemies will not stop until he is removed from office. His removal could spell disaster for the Philippines and take the country a step backward yet again. They are very sloppy though and use only information or unofficial data from mainstream media whose members despise him. Duterte seems to be doing a good job taking matters into his own hands. He doesn’t even need a PR firm to help him since his enemies are not that smart. For one, they don’t know the law as well as he does. Duterte’s enemies use appeal to emotion instead of logic and that’s the reason why they can’t succeed in getting rid of him.

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About Ilda

In life, things are not always what they seem.

http://www.getrealphilippines.com/blog/2018/03/duterte-is-not-a-coward-for-quitting-the-icc-hes-simply-fighting-the-philippines-enemies/

Do This in Only 2 Minutes: This Skill Will Help You Adjust Your Back Once and For All

Spine has multiple vital functions in your body, including supporting your weight, holding you upright, and protecting your spinal cord and nerves. That’s why you have to pay more attention to its health. To have an optimal back and spine’s health, and at the same time avoid back pain and damage, you need to take proper care of this part of the body.

If you’re in a seated position for a long period of time, whether it’s sitting at the office, at home, or even in your car for a longer period, you have more chances of spine damage and back pain.

To avoid that as well as treat your existing back pain, we recommend following the useful tips presented in the video below.

There are different factors that can lead to back pain and damage. In case the reason is prolonged sitting, it can cause further problems with your joints, muscles, discs, and bones.

Exercise is one of the best ways to treat your back pain. A yoga instructor presents several useful exercises in the video below that will help you treat your lower back pain, and other pains associated with your spine and back.

https://www.healthandlovepage.com/adjust-your-back-in-2-minutes/?c=mhl

Science Confirms That Turmeric As Effective As 14 Drugs

Turmeric or Curcumin is a wonder herb and it has many health benefits.It’s bright orange, bitter and powerful.Turmeric is the vibrant ingredient that gives curry it’s memorable hue. If you’ve tried Indian cuisine, you’ve likely tasted it and loved it.

This predominant spice is used generously in nearly all Indian meals. Perhaps that’s why India has among the lowest rates of lung,colon, PROSTATE & breast cancer,

Curcumin, the active agent in turmeric has been used in Ayurveda, the Ancient form of Indian Medicine for thousands of years and Western Science is catching on. Turmeric has matched and outperformed many modern medicines.

This potent spice is packed with anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants. Turmeric has been proven to fight free radicals, rejuvenate the cells, cleanse the liver, protect the heart, boosts moods and support the brain.

Sound too good to be true? There’s more.Turmeric has been shown to lift levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. With a stronger cocktail of these neuro-chemicals we’re all a little happier.

Turmeric has ten neuro-protective actions that support better memory, focus and cognition. This multifunctional spice is also used to regulate fat metabolism, alleviate IBS, regulate bile flow, reduce joint pain and bring luster to the skin.

Turmeric or Haldi as they call it in Hindi is revered for it’s spiritual significance. Often referred to as The Golden Spice or The Spice of Life,turmeric is a common accessory in wedding rituals and prayer ceremonies. Originally the spice was used in rites and rituals intended to promote fertility, prosperity and spiritual purification.

Turmeric is incredibly purifying. As a sure source of anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial extracts, this spice can help you fight infections and boost immunity. Dense in vitamins and minerals this magical spice promotes overall well being.

ALSO READ:

This 2500 Yr Old Ayurvedic Supplement Is Better Than Any Modern Day Supplement. Find Out Why?

Curcumin/Turmeric Capsules, Not Nearly As Effective

The active agents in turmeric are fat soluble, meaning you need fat in the carrier to effectively absorb and assimilate the benefits. In order to make the most of your turmeric you must take it with a source of fat.

The spice has stood the test of time in India as a form of medicine because it’s used in cooking and oil is almost always present in the recipe. The fat from the oil is the consort ingredient.

The vitamin and supplement industry is steadfast and ever growing. It’s the American way to think we can identify a component, examine it, prove it, magnify it, package it and sell it. Well, it doesn’t always work that way. The bedrock of Ayurveda and Eastern Medicine is that we are more than the sum total of our parts.

Holistic medicine stands firm on a platform that demonstrates the interconnectedness of the mind, body and soul. Just as there is a delicate and intelligent interplay between the mind, body and soul, there is a delicate and intelligent interplay between the brain, gut and formation of tissues.

A capsule version of turmeric (aka curcumin) will get the spice into your body but it won’t guarantee the digestion and absorption of the nutrients into your system. According to Ayurveda there are seven layers of tissues: plasma, blood, muscles, fat, bones, nervous tissue and reproductive tissue.

Each tissue is nourished in sequential order based on how well food is digested, absorbed and assimilated. If you want the benefits of turmeric to touch all your tissues, a capsule just won’t cut it. The body simply doesn’t integrate capsules as it would food.

Optimize Your Use of Turmeric

Doses Of Using Turmeric In Different Ways

1.Always buy certified organic.

2.Make sure your spices are free of chemicals, preservatives, fillers and additives.

3.Drink Golden Milk

Golden milk is an ancient health elixir: Combine 1/2 tsp of organic turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp of organic ginger powder and a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom into one cup of hot almond/soy/rice or hemp milk. If you’re using a liquid with low fat content you can add 1/2 tsp of coconut oil or ghee (clarified butter) to guarantee maximum absorption. Drink this daily.

4.Combine turmeric with black pepper to amp up the effect.

Cook with turmeric, black pepper and ginger. These heating, metabolism charging spices have a synergistic effect that will increase the bio availability by 1,000 times. Make sure to dissolve the spices in ghee or coconut oil while cooking.

5.Pour it into your smoothies.

Dissolve a full teaspoon of turmeric and a pinch of black pepper into hot coconut oil and pour it into your smoothie or juice.

6.Stir it into olive oil for salads and veggie mixes.You can also sprinkle it on an avocado and pair it with your meal.

7.Skip the pill.

If you’re taking the capsule version at least take it with 1 cup of hot water. In the cup of hot water, add 1 tsp of ghee or connect oil and a generous pinch of black pepper.

8.Turmeric Benefits For Skin

Combine 1 tsp of turmeric with 1 tsp of chick pea flour; add a dash of tea tree oil and enough water to create a paste (about 2 tsp of water). Apply the paste to the entire face, keep it on for 15 minutes, then rinse it with warm water. Your skin will look radiant.

Health Benefits Of Using Turmeric

1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent.Application of Turmeric paste is useful in cuts and burns.

2. When it is cooked with cauliflower it works as a preventive against PROSTATE cancer.

3. Adding this to food will help in preventing breast cancer.

4.Reduces the risks of childhood leukemia.

5.It has proprieties that can prevent melanoma and can kill existing melanoma cells to die.

6.It prevents and slow the progression of Alzheimer diseases by removing amyloyd plaque build up in the brain.

7. It detoxify liver.

8. It slows the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.

9.It helps in inducing metabolism and reducing fat.

10. It has anti-inflammatory properties so it useful in treating arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

What a nostalgic kind of feeling to tour around Luxor in a "calesa" and see all those sights that were familiar to me when I was growing up in Pangasinan and in Manila. I saw the sugar plantation like the ones I passed by Tarlac and Pampanga on my way to Calasiao and the rich color and smell of the local market as if I was in Divisoria. It nearly moved me to tears because it was here that I felt more at home away from home than anywhere else where I had been!

My favorite poem - The Raven

Edgar Allen Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective fiction genre. He is further credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction. He was the first well-known American writer to try to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career.

The historical Edgar Allan Poe has appeared as a fictionalized character, often representing the "mad genius" or "tormented artist" and exploiting his personal struggles. Many such depictions also blend in with characters from his stories, suggesting Poe and his characters share identities. Often, fictional depictions of Poe use his mystery-solving skills in such novels as The Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl.

The Raven

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

''Tis some visitor,' I muttered, 'tapping at my chamber door-

Only this, and nothing more.'

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,

And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.

Eagerly I wished the morrow;- vainly I had sought to borrow

From my books surcease of sorrow- sorrow for the lost Lenore-

For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore-

Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain

Thrilled me- filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;

So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,

''Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door-

Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;-

This it is, and nothing more.'

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,

'Sir,' said I, 'or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;

But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,

And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,

That I scarce was sure I heard you'- here I opened wide the door;-

Darkness there, and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering,

fearing,

Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;

But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,

And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, 'Lenore!'

This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, 'Lenore!'-

Merely this, and nothing more.

Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,

Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.

'Surely,' said I, 'surely that is something at my window lattice:

Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore-

Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;-

'Tis the wind and nothing more.'

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and

flutter,

In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;

Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed

he;

But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door-

Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door-

Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,

By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore.

'Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, 'art sure no

craven,

Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore-

Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!'

Quoth the Raven, 'Nevermore.'

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,

Though its answer little meaning- little relevancy bore;

For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being

Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door-

Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,

With such name as 'Nevermore.'

But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only

That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.

Nothing further then he uttered- not a feather then he fluttered-

Till I scarcely more than muttered, 'other friends have flown

before-

On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.'

Then the bird said, 'Nevermore.'

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,

'Doubtless,' said I, 'what it utters is its only stock and store,

Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster

Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore-

Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore

Of 'Never- nevermore'.'

But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,

Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and

door;

Then upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking

Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore-

What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore

Meant in croaking 'Nevermore.'

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing

To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;

This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining

On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o'er,

But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o'er,

She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then methought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer

Swung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.

'Wretch,' I cried, 'thy God hath lent thee- by these angels he

hath sent thee

Respite- respite and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore!

Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!'

Quoth the Raven, 'Nevermore.'

'Prophet!' said I, 'thing of evil!- prophet still, if bird or

devil!-

Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,

Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted-

On this home by horror haunted- tell me truly, I implore-

Is there- is there balm in Gilead?- tell me- tell me, I implore!'

Quoth the Raven, 'Nevermore.'

'Prophet!' said I, 'thing of evil- prophet still, if bird or

devil!

By that Heaven that bends above us- by that God we both adore-

Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,

It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore-

Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore.'

Quoth the Raven, 'Nevermore.'

'Be that word our sign in parting, bird or fiend,' I shrieked,

upstarting-

'Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!

Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!

Leave my loneliness unbroken!- quit the bust above my door!

Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my

door!'

Quoth the Raven, 'Nevermore.'

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,

And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the

floor;

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor

Shall be lifted- nevermore!

Edgar Allan Poe