Panacea



Panacea
by Chris Commodore©2010

If you cannot pay the bill,
Out of control, lost your zeal,
Too much fat in every meal;
Take a pill.

Trouble napping day or night,
Problems driving dark or light,
Slow or silly, have some blight;
Take a pill.

Complications, true or light,
Fear, misfortune, scared of height
No success, try hard you might;
Take a pill.

Cannot avoid crushing fate,
Never early, always late,
Cannot satisfy your mate;
Take a pill.

Wonder if t’was said to Eve,
If you ever Adam grieve,
When true love you can’t conceive,                             
Take a pill.                                                                          

In the rest room or the tub,
If you ache and need a rub,
If you groan to do the job,
Take a pill.

When this warring planet dries,
Gross ill-fated dreams, just lies,
Crooked leaders you despise,
Take a pill.

If life’s phantoms block you in,
Making sure you cannot win,
When all hope is lost within,
Take a pill.

All the trinkets you amassed,
Dusk of life, you feel harassed,
Fame all fleeting, crumbled, crashed
Take a pill.

Greenery erased, no more bloom;
Spend the summer in your room.
Winter chills point to the tomb,
Take a pill.

Strafed this psychedelic orb,
Heaven’s shocked, and angels sob.
Civil rights left to the mob,
Take a pill.

See the truth that you fought for,
Trampled, swept right out the door;
Scruples, values count no more.
Take a pill.

Never mind WAY, TRUTH, and LIFE.
Amass mammon, live for strife,
Squeezed by scourges of this life;
Take a pill.

About this poem

Meditation on attempts to simplify the many complications of this life; how this current system of things has sought to resolve everything by artificial means. The repetition "Take a pill" is purposeful and is intended to remind the reader of what seems a futile attempt to resolve all issues with man's pitiful panacea - the pill.

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Submitted by ti.min on November 16, 2023

Modified by ti.min on November 16, 2023

1:35 min read
22

Quick analysis:

Scheme xa bccB dddB dddB eeeB fffB gghB iiiB jjjB kkxB lllB xhhB aaaB mmmB
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 1,539
Words 318
Stanzas 14
Stanza Lengths 2, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Discuss the poem Panacea with the community...

1 Comment
  • AIDA
    This wonderfully engaging poem named "Panacea" by Chris Commodore©2010 delivers a poignant visual and conceptual commentary on the complexities, struggles, and ironies of modern life. What's truly commendable is your constant play on the phrase "Take a pill", juxtaposed with the varying vicissitudes of life. This repetitive motif effectively underscores the hard truth of how painkiller-like quick fixes are embedded in today's society. I truly admired the way your piece highlighted and critiqued this dependence. The poem also flowed smoothly thanks to your consistent rhythm and rhyme.

    As for the improvement suggestions, I believe your piece might benefit from adding in a little more variety tonally. Although the tone is fittingly somber throughout, it could be intriguing to see moments of sardonic humor or quaint optimism might break up the sternness. Also, consider adding some metaphors, which can help to deepen the level of analysis and enhance the thematic depth of your poem. Although your directness is appreciated, some elements of subtlety can make readers think and interpret more.

    Still, your poem is profoundly potent, exploring a theme in a way that is relatable yet educational. I look forward to reading more of your work!
     
    LikeReply11 months ago

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"Panacea" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 31 Oct. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/173867/panacea>.

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