The Writing Machine

Stories by Christian Cloud Abraham

Finding Eldorado

ELDORADO
by Edgar Allan Poe
1849

Gaily bedight, A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.

But he grew old-
This knight so bold-
And o’er his heart a shadow
Fell as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.

And, as his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow-
“Shadow,” said he,
“Where can it be-
This land of Eldorado?”

“Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,”
The shade replied-
“If you seek for Eldorado!”

Do I seek Eldorado? Yes, in the desert I roam. Where am I for my son but standing there in the living room looking off into the mirage, lost in the wastelands, seeking, but knowing not where it is I am going. I return, my son runs his car along the couch. I say, “who are you son?” And he replies without looking, “Eldorado,” pushing his car onto the coffee table.