“Unraveling the Shadows: Stan Morrison’s Poetic Journey Through the Heart of Oncology”
In a world where medical advancements are often celebrated with the pomp and circumstance of a Broadway opening night, it’s worth pausing to ask: how much has really changed? The lines we read in glossy brochures touting ‘revolutionary’ treatments often feel more like a tantalizing lottery win—with the odds firmly stacked against us. This poem explores the stark reality of modern medicine, contrasting the optimism of wellness campaigns against the gritty truth of treatment’s side effects and enduring challenges. It pulls us into a stark dialogue about our relationship with healthcare, longevity, and the often-unacknowledged mechanisms that drive it. As we reflect on the echoes of Galen’s dubious practices, we’re reminded that, despite our advances, survival can feel like a gamble—a roll of the dice cloaked in a lab coat. Ready to delve deeper into this poignant exploration? LEARN MORE.
medical advances only offer slim chances
like raffle tickets loaded with unpleasantness
empty your bank account, ride at your own risk
side effects outnumber the therapeutic promises
while “quality of life” is given homage so glibly
the oncologist is just trying to make a living
“survive my poisons and you’ve got it made”
decades of stagnant statistics
masquerading as great progress
walk jog run swim for the cure
Galen remedies dare you to try
American medicine delights in self-adulation
everyone smiling on the evening news report
