Home » Poems » Freddie Robinson Jr. » 19 Hues of Blue

19 Hues of Blue


In these a-dying days,
people are given mo’ grief news
Hope cost less than
a jug bottle of dirt cheap booze

While the crying game
is being played
over and over,  time again hence

Death has a new name:
Covid-19
is the ICU cradle tomb pestilence

Folks everywhere are digging in,
with covered faces grim
As graveyards keep overflowing,
prospects be looking dim

Red Masque, Red Masque
19 hues of undertaker gurney blue
This ghastly number
be vapor fear burying lots not few

Red Masque, Red Masque
Tales of the Crypt be sew cerulean
Devil wearing a blue dress,
says the search party has just began

Flood of 911 busy signals,
gov’ment ain’t answering the phone
Twilight curfew dye vigils,
as loved ones face suffering all alone

Let the crying game
be sympathy fore played
Veil questioning is the “Why” snuff passion

Climax is the same — 
Covid yourself,
bureaucrats do truly feel in a caring fashion

Folks everywhere are digging in,
with covered faces grim
As graveyards keep overflowing,
prospects be reaper dim

Red Masque, Red Masque
19 hues of constant code blue
White House doctor office is closed,
nobody is gonna attend to you

Red Masque, Red Masque
Oval lips don’t speak indigo true
White House bunker gala,
a welcoming party only for a few

A stricken nation in tear mourning,
awakens daily to no relief
Operation Neglect gives no warning,
alarm bell is cricket brief

While the crying game
is being played
over and over and over again

Passing the err blame — 
Covid-19
chalks up another morgue win

As mo’ and mo’ blackbirds
keep a-perching ‘pon cemetery tombstones
Nary an Ivory rescue heard,
only coroner chirps of lies being prolonged

Red Masque, Red Masque: A cloaked cry
19 hues of pallbearer coffin blue
Last rite Lenin robes are all denim dyed,
eulogy threads was party issued

Red Masque, Red Masque
19 cryptic cues of cynical dark azure shade
White House pandemic task
was to have a masquerade party virus paid


11-20-20

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Gershon Wolf

Date: 11/21/2020 6:01:00 PM

Yeah, the White House could care less alright, as long as they themselves don't die. Then you'd see a change of heart, eh? Write on, my friend. Light and Joy, Gershon

Alexis Y.

Date: 11/21/2020 11:16:00 AM

WoW! Freddie, You penn is so signature, there’s none like it. Covid 19 is bringing death and so much more, like fear and depression. I will be happy when it's no more. An exceptional classic spin on a Poe classic. Have a good, my friend:-) Alexis

Paul Callus

Date: 11/21/2020 8:49:00 AM

Poe came to mind straight away, Freddie. In your inimitable style you point to the current situation and those who could (and had the duty) to have done much more to deal with this pandemic. ~ Best wishes & regards // paul

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 11/21/2020 1:26:00 AM

Dark like the raven. I fear the worst is yet to come. ~~

Silent One

Date: 11/20/2020 7:21:00 AM

Damn, a sign of the times, as the moment.. this one is dark and reaps of death... great penning..

Freddie Robinson Jr.
Date: 11/20/2020 7:46:00 AM

SO, this was my modern take on Poe's classic, "The Masque of the Red Death." Ty for your encouraging words always. I might try to get published in the near future. My father (who was a great poet) was published by the renown poet, Dudley Randall. My father was in the American Literary Who's Who List in 2000 by the USA Library Congress. But, my father loved anonymity more than fame. I do too, as well. Love and peace, my brother.