# XV: C. P. Berry explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A satirical epitaph for C. P. Berry, likening him to a scarecrow—harmless in life and death, yet once feared. He is devoured by ravens and daws, leaving only a faint mark on earth.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

Berry is portrayed as a 'fair deceit'—a figure whose feared reputation masks his actual harmlessness, suggesting hypocrisy in how power is perceived.

### Mortality and Regret

The epitaph reflects on Berry's death and the insignificance of his legacy, reduced to a 'straw Berry mark' on earth.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The narrator delivers a mocking epitaph for C. P. Berry.

## Key lines

> Here’s crowbait!⁠—ravens, too, and daws Flock hither to advance their caws, And, with a sudden courage armed, Devour the foe who once alarmed⁠— In life and death a fair deceit: Nor strong to harm nor good to eat.

Berry's corpse is carrion for scavengers; the birds that once feared him now boldly feast. He was never truly dangerous or useful—just a deception.

_The stanza emphasizes Berry's hollow threat and the irony of his posthumous consumption by those he once intimidated._

> King bogey of the scarecrow host, When known the least affrighting most, Though light his hand (his mind was dark) He left on earth a straw Berry mark.

He was the bogeyman of scarecrows—most frightening to those who knew him least. His actions were weak, his intentions obscure, and his legacy as insubstantial as straw.

_The closing lines cement Berry's insignificance, playing on his name with 'straw Berry mark' to underscore his ephemeral impact._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/xv-c-p-berry
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters