We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,— Paul Laurence Dunbar

This poem is a COVID-19 “remix” of “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Laurence Dunbar. I tried to follow Dunbar’s original rhyme scheme and meter. I hope you enjoy it and take it as a “public service announcement” to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). You can listen to the demo on SoundCloud below. Peace, Love & Safe Passage!

We wear masks and save others’ lives.
Covered beneath N-95s, 
Making our own to last a while.
While presidential denials
Try to downplay casualties.

We wash our hands and sanitize
To prevent a viral surprise.
Bandanas to protect, not style.
We wear masks.

We smile to strangers with our eyes,
And shop for essential supplies.
We sing and post to our profiles.
God bless the “remote learning” chile!
While black men keep dropping like flies
We wear masks.

Chicago, IL

For more information on COVID-19 updates and prevention, visit the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/index.html