Scarlet Poem by Ima Ryma

In ancient times the scarlet hue
Meant power, wealth and luxury,
A bright red with slight orange tinge too.
Finest scarlets in demand be,
And were supplied from bugs around
Mediterranean sea sites.
These insects, kermes, could be found
Living on oaks as parasites.
The dead bodies of the females
Were ground up to make scarlet dye.
Sellers avoided these details,
Pitching to sell the sought supply.

Scarlet garments wearers did don,
Not knowing they put dead bugs on.