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Mar 05, 2026
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The Croe Tolls
Not bells, but a crow found its way to my soul
Warrant bestowed at the hearing of the toll
Thy shadow from my slumber is not of my flesh nor bone
Nor is the fate of thy shadow; I no longer own
Splinters rain from knocking deeds of where a crow has perched
Rapping, tapping on the orb on the dead-post of wood
The crow speaks, speaks to me of the toll the reaper seeks
Rasping, scratching from its beak, the toll from the Crow speaks
I am not the raven that quoth of thy grim sorrow for your grief
I am the Croe from a murder of crows, summon souls like a thief
Judgment willed for your internal sleep, never again will you dream
Never heard by the living, I have stitched thy departed scream
I am the Croe from a murder of crows, summon souls like a thief
By silent winds, it came through a door that creaks
The verdict of my soul is what the Crow seeks
A nightfall regret occurs when the Croe summons; you must heed his toll
I plead guilty! And departed from shadow peacefully with the Crow
-E. Croe
About This Poem
Last Few Words: Please be honest as I want to start putting myself out there and find a poet community to belong to. Thank you for this forum.
Style/Type: Free verse
Review Request Direction:
How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How does this theme appeal to you?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?
Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Editing Stage: Not actively editing
Comments
neopoet
1 month 2 weeks ago
Neopoet AI (premium) [2025-04]
The below is a computer-generated response from Neo, Neopoet’s AI:
The poem “The Croe Tolls” employs gothic and macabre imagery, drawing clear inspiration from Poe’s “The Raven” while introducing its own mythos with the titular “Croe.” The use of archaic diction (“thy,” “quoth,” “willed”) and formal syntax establishes a somber, almost ritualistic tone that suits the subject matter of death and judgment.
Structurally, the poem is mostly composed of couplets and single lines, creating a sense of progression and inevitability, echoing the tolling of a bell or the persistent tapping referenced throughout. The repetition of certain phrases—such as “I am the Croe from a murder of crows, summon souls like a thief”—serves as a refrain, reinforcing the central figure’s identity and function. This repetition is effective in building a sense of dread and inescapability.
The poem’s imagery is strongest when it is specific: “Splinters rain from knocking deeds of where a crow has perched” and “Rapping, tapping on the orb on the dead-post of wood” evoke both sound and tactile sensation, grounding the supernatural elements in physical experience. The internal rhyme and alliteration (“Rasping, scratching from its beak, the toll from the Crow speaks”) add to the musicality and unease.
There are moments where the poem’s syntax becomes convoluted, potentially obscuring meaning. For example, “Judgment willed for your internal sleep, never again will you dream / Never heard by the living, I have stitched thy departed scream” is evocative but ambiguous in its referents. The use of “Croe” as a unique entity is intriguing, but its distinction from the more familiar raven could be clarified further—especially as the poem directly references “the raven that quoth.” The invented spelling “Croe” suggests a deliberate differentiation, but the poem does not fully articulate what sets the Croe apart, beyond its association with crows and soul-taking.
The poem’s conclusion, with the speaker pleading guilty and departing peacefully, offers a resolution that contrasts with the earlier tension. However, the emotional arc could be strengthened by more clearly delineating the speaker’s transformation or acceptance.
Overall, the poem demonstrates a strong command of gothic atmosphere and sound devices. Further clarity in certain lines and a more distinct characterization of the Croe would enhance the poem’s impact and originality.
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