Why is the Raven like a Writing Desk?

Why is the raven like a writing desk?

Why, I ask, why?

Quit, you fools, don’t doubt me this.

It used to be how,

Still, why?

Which raven, you may ask,

For there are several

I speak not of a raven,

It is the raven we lack.

Back from his sky-wide flight

This bird of Odin settles upon

His master’s shoulder; telling

What he’s seen, it all

That ancient creature has ken of his own

His musings run deeper than

The black of his gloss

The raven is, don’t deny it!

He is Thought – or is he Memory?

Our raven takes ideas lofty

To pen a note and seal it

But, a real writing desk is

Scratched and worn from spills

and quill cuts

Which are raven talons

But, no, it is Thought

That is our raven

The raven

Still, you beg of me,

How is a raven like a writing desk?

Quit yet! You fools

You do doubt me this!

For it is why!

You must think me crazy

Doubting a riddle that was always in doubt

Your opinion, though doesn’t bow me

I know the answer, not the how

(Who cares?)

But why!

So tell me, you wise one, you who

Are really insane

Why is the raven like writing desk?