you may have seen
serpents before
on a white coat lapel
or a hospital door
keep your eyes open
count the snakes you see
one snake or two
keep track with me
count one count two
on caduceus there
find wings at the top?
its owner is clear
hermes — greek god
of commerce and thieves
messenger, trickster
this staff up his sleeves
not owned by a doctor
not held by a nurse
if you see this
keep hold of your purse
now turn your gaze
a rod with one snake
in hand of the one
soothing each ache
asclepius, healer
on olympus mount
his waiting room full
too many to count
medicine’s symbol
from epochs before
not one billing code
or prior auth chore
not a single drug rep
no devices to sell
just a rod with one snake
making sick well
now it matters not how
it matters not when
we lost count of snakes
healer’s art or thieves’ den?
and before you retort
“it’s all greek to me”
do you want your doctor
to be healer or thief?
what does it mean
that physicians forgot?
a convenient mistake
shows what’s at our heart
Contributing Writer
Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Originally from Western PA, Emily Kirchner is third year student pursuing a dual MD/MA in urban bioethics at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. She wants to be an old-fashioned family doc who works alongside marginalized communities.
