“The Happiest Day”by EAP

Comics story adaptation, 8 pgs. Appeared first time [B&W] in Haunt of Horror: Edgar Allan Poe #3 (2006). Reprinted [B&W] in Haunt of Horror: Edgar Allan Poe [HC] (2006) and [B&W] in Haunt of Horror (2009).
Inspiration: Edgar Allan Poe. Story: Rick Dahl. Art: Richard Corben (no signature). Lettering printed (VC’s Randy Gentile).

The happiest day – the happiest hour
My sear’d and blighted heart hath known,
The highest hope of pride and power,
I feel hath flown.

Of power! said I? yes! such I ween;
But they have vanish’d long, alas!
The visions of my youth have been –
But let them pass.

And, pride, what have I now with thee?
Another brow may even inherit
The venom thou hast pour’d on me
Be still, my spirit!

The happiest day – the happiest hour
Mine eyes shall see – have ever seen,
The brightest glance of pride and power,
I feel – have been:

But were that hope of pride and power
Now offer’d with the pain
Even then I felt – that brightest hour
I would not live again:

For on its wing was dark alloy,
And, as it flutter’d – fell
An essence – powerful to destroy
A soul that knew it well.