The Evolution of Medicine


THE EVOLUTION OF MEDICINE



Twenty centuries ago, medicine was far from astute.
If you were sick your neighbor said, here, eat this root.

A thousand years after, religion supplanted health care
That root is heathen, to be well you must say this prayer.

A few centuries later, alchemy was the grand notion.
That prayer is heathen, here, drink this potion.

Then soon after, science knew what made you ill,
That potion is mere snake oil, here, take this pill.

Not long ago, dispensing medicine became robotic
That pill is ineffective, here, take this antibiotic.

Now chemicals are the enemy, nature’s healing beyond refute.
That antibiotic is artificial, here, eat this root.

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Shared with DVerse Poets for Open Link Night.

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This poem appeared in "Breathing for Clouds" available from Big Table Publishing.
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©2014 Christopher Reilley
 
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Comments

  1. Nicely done, Chris! I love the way the wheel has turned, from root to root.

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  2. I smiled all the way through this! Your rhyming is great throughout....and the reflection in the time line is perfect. You've thought it out and given us a real progression of where we've been and where we are. In this line....we used to think we needed to have a healthy weight....not be stick thin....but recognizing that it is not good for our heart or our health to be obese. So people used to eat healthy, exercise, avoid unhealthy habits.....now, there's Ozempic and you just inject something into your body and voila! Ugh.

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    Replies
    1. That anonymous reply is from me: lillian...host to dVerse today and Saturday.

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  3. Perfect title to a poem that rings with truth. I stick to the roots and am doing just fine.

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  4. "Now chemicals are the enemy," .. yes! This is powerfully written.

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  5. Luv your circular account of healing through the ages

    Much♡love

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  6. How very, very astute, and how very, very fun!

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