Lasciate Ogni Speranza

Lasciate Ogni Speranza

“Abandon all hope, ye who enter here
Unmasked!” The current message from my church
Seems less than welcoming. Is it sincere?
I have no doubt. Voluminous research
Persuades me that the mask is now assessed
As more important than the state of grace.
Masklessness is a sin to be confessed.
Masklessness is a thing from outer space.
I should be pissed instead of entertained.
The clown show, though, is just too much for me.
Government bureaucrats are mealworm-brained—
And churchmen join them in stupidity.
Part of me think it’s absolutely swell
To see such words, as on the Gates of Hell.

–Tom Riley

Polytheists

Polytheists

We loved the Mask, converted to the Shot,
And now with joy adore the Mask anew.
Is our religion fixed in stone? It’s not.
We loved the Mask, converted to the Shot,
And mean to worship finally a lot
Of different gods. We’ll make you worship, too.
We loved the Mask, converted to the Shot,
And now with joy adore the Mask anew.

–Tom Riley

Concise Guide to the New Symbolism of the Damn Yankee Flag

A Concise Guide to the New Symbolism of the Damn Yankee Flag

“I hates their stripèd banner.
I fit it all I could.”

The land of
the woke and the home
of the masked.

–Tom Riley

Duty Roster

Duty Roster

Our patriotic duties multiply—
Which means that China Joe is mouthing off.
Our leader can be one demanding guy:
Our patriotic duties multiply!
Forget the past! Believe the present lie!
We’ll all die if a kiddie gets a cough.
Our patriotic duties multiply—
Which means that China Joe is mouthing off.

–Tom Riley

Neanderthal Thinking

Neanderthal Thinking

 

Does racist Joe insult Neanderthals?
Of course he does, the lame Cro-Magnon shit!
He tends to drop the comment that appalls,
Does racist Joe. Insult Neanderthals?
Why not? Why should he think that justice calls?
He doesn’t have the conscience or the wit.
Does racist Joe insult Neanderthals?
Of course he does – the lame Cro-Magnon shit.

 

–Tom Riley

 

Halloween Masks

Halloween Masks

Are we ready for virtual treats
And for virtual tricks? The heart greets
(I would just like to say)
Such vague scares with dismay.
They’re another of this year’s defeats.

–Tom Riley

Guy in the Ferrous Face-Covering

The Guy in the Ferrous Face-Covering

 

(for Tim Stoll)

 

Old classic tales must now be set aside,
Replaced by tales with greater relevance.
Thus, in response to up-to-date events,
I hammer out a tale transmogrified.
An unknown figure regularly spied:
On moonlit nights, he walks the battlements.
The mystery goes ever more immense.
Why? It’s because he has a lot to hide!
His face is covered with an iron shield—
A mask whose tendency is to inspire us
With puzzlement and dread that can’t be healed
Until we know the truth. Yes, we’re desirous
Of facts about the guy with face concealed!
Big let-down, though: he’s hiding from a virus.

 

–Tom Riley

 

Stop the Spread!

Stop the Spread!

 
Mr. Alt wears a mask, you dumb hick.
Self and others stay thereby not sick.
In Alt’s mask there’s a hole?
Hey, don’t fret, bless your soul!
It’s a small hole – for Mr. Shea’s dick.

 
–Tom Riley

 
(Note: I am not here claiming any knowledge of the sexual habits of Scott Eric Alt and his daddy Mark Shea. Not in the least. And I couldn’t care less about this nauseating subject. I am alleging only psychological psodomy and philosophical phellatio. These two provide evidence for this allegation on a daily basis. T.R.)

Wear a Mask

Wear a Mask

 
Hey, wear a mask: it shows you truly care!
This is the shit Scott Eric Alt is shitting
Nowadays. And in my view it is fitting
That leftist types in need of brain repair
Should find a means to signal virtue there.
By hiding out, by being wimps, by quitting,
By whacking off at home or simply knitting,
They’re heroes saving maidens bright and fair.
Reality says otherwise, however.
Their slack, uncritical obedience
Renders them neither brave nor strong nor clever
In the face of imperious events.
When will they overflow with virtue? Never!
They cannot even claim mere common sense.

 
–Tom Riley

 

Fitting In

Fitting In

 
“I told you, I told you, I told you
I was one of those.”

 

–Leonard Cohen

 
White, from a
box, my mask’s even plainer
than my face.

 
–Tom Riley