Men of Medicine

MEN OF MEDICINE

Men of Hippocrates, I too am one,
Now ashamed of what has become
A once noble art turned around
Spiraling quickly from heaven to ground.

Gods we were never, yet closer before,
Now much more base, the art from us torn.
Strive for the heights; compete with each other,
Close eyes and ears to those who smother,
Under ills that mankind gave birth,
To strangle our fellows
And douse out their mirth.

It is time we spoke less of things esoteric,
Filled our hearts with compassion empathetic,
Cried in our souls when we feel others suffer,
Smile and laugh when sick is no more,
Know all men are rich when they seem poor.

Hyde Park, Chicago 1968