Poem for April 15

TAXES

(My apologies to Edgar Allen Poe)

Once upon a midnight dreary as I struggled weak and weary

Over a changed Form 1040 I had never seen before.

Back and forth I did the sums, looking for deduction crumbs

Hoping, ever hoping that I’d find a way to score.

But alas twas not my lot to escape an awful blot

Upon my worldly fortune, Uncle Sam keeps wanting more.

My mind grows dim with sorrow, the due date is tomorrow,

And I must find the answer else I’ll end up very poor.

Can I deduct  those gambling debts resulting from my stupid bets?

Should I try to itemize my bar bill from the club?

What about my one contribution, will that not bring absolution?

Surely I can claim deduction for the new pants that I tore.

Alas ‘tis midnight past, and the time is flying fast, and I must find the answer

To the question: How much more?

You may think my answer funny; I'll just send them all my money,

And request that they return to me all that not spent before.

It is now six months gone by, and as yet there’s no reply,

Could it be that Uncle Sam will grant me no succor?

Then the raven came rapping, rapping

The Raven came rapping, tapping at my window door.

Oh! To be so doubly blessed, a messenger from the IRS!

Surely he has come to tell me that my problems are no more.

And I said “Oh bird austere, do you bring me news of cheer?

If you brought to me a refund then together we will soar.

I am down to bread and beans, for I do not have the means

To buy a decent meal.  Tell me Raven,

 Am I affluent as I was in days of yore?

Quoth the Raven, “Never more!”

Al Manning