Holy holy is thy name, whitened sepulcher of rotting capitalistic shame
Sacred temple of golden illth, Delphi in fixed filth of a gambling game
The cards are stacked watch the dealer, he'll tell you he's your casino healer
Spin the wheel let the PDR pages roll, soon you will be digging your own hole
Filled pockets is all that's on their mind, the poor and needy are declined
Doctors as pushers that wear a white mask, handing out bottles of addictions, a candy man's task
The mad hatter writes scripts with his golden pen, not a cure but next week come back again
Pushers of hope in a bottle of pills, dealers, hook ups for dope from a cartel that kills
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Author:
sorenbarrett (
Online) - Published: September 2nd, 2026 03:05
- Comment from author about the poem: PDR Physician desk reference the drug bible used by physicians to look up drugs and their uses and effects
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 49
- Users favorite of this poem: nephilim56 ( Norman Dickson), Syd, Paul Bell, Tristan Robert Lange
- In collections: Drugs.
Online)
Comments12
A definite fav my friend
Thank you so much for the read and comment Norman
most welcome
A powerful and poignant critique of the healthcare system, exposing its corruption and profit-driven nature through scathing satire, a caustic tone, and vivid religious, gambling, and drug-related imagery.
Thanks so much Soheil. My observation from within the healthcare industry for over thirty years has been one of a pill mill attitude to treatment where in a capitalistic economy pharmaceutical companies rule the stock market, the lobby industry, the FDA (federal drug administration), and congress. Where profit takes precedence over peoples well being, research is rushed and at times faked and cost is artificially inflated. Doctors overworked favor medications allowing them to cut visit time, are subject to drug representatives that bribe them to push their product with meals, and money for what amounts to paid vacations under the auspice of giving a lecture. Ignorant themselves of the drugs they are pushing. Sorry for the rant.
No need to apologize at all—I appreciate you sharing your perspective. Thirty years within the healthcare industry gives you a depth of experience that is difficult to dismiss, and I can understand why you would feel frustrated after seeing these issues firsthand.
I think a big part of the problem is that so much of healthcare, like many other aspects of our lives, has become commodified. When something as fundamental as people’s health is treated primarily as a commodity, financial incentives can inevitably start taking precedence over well-being. And unfortunately, this seems to be almost a universal problem, not one limited to a particular country or healthcare system.
Perhaps the deeper issue is that we have gradually come to measure the value of things primarily in financial terms, even when they involve something as human and fundamental as health. Once profit becomes the dominant measure of success, the system can lose sight of the person at the center of it.
At the same time, there are countless dedicated professionals doing remarkable work. I do think, however, that we need to keep asking whether our systems, incentives, and values are actually aligned with what healthcare in particular—and perhaps life in general—is ultimately supposed to accomplish: helping people live healthier, longer, and better lives.
You are very right my friend
Thank you. I really appreciate that.
Hi Sorenbarret,
Fortunately here in England, the doctors don't prescribe strong opiods like they do in the US. I watched a very good series a couple of years ago called Dope Sick, it's about the Oxycontin epidemic. I recommend it if you ever have time.
A very good write.
- Syd 🍄
Thank you Syd for the read and kind words of understanding
The old Rx still making its rounds 🙏🏻🕊️
Thanks for the read Cryptic. Not that all pills are bad but the system it rotten.
Lets face it, it's not in the pharmaceutical industry's interests to get you healthy, that don't sell pills.
Doctors are no better, they give you five minutes of their time, give you a prescription for more pills.
Once upon a time fruit would be good for you, but even that's got drugs sprayed all over it.
We're doomed, all doomed.
Thanks Paul for the support and read it is appreciated. Some pills may be necessary but if so should be available to all not just the rich.
the serial dispenser doesn't pay the bill !
Tis a fact and one that needs resolution. Thanks Lorenz for the read and comment
Good write SB. I gave KP some weed - not THAT weed, but garden weeds for supper! heehee.
Thanks so much Orchi I appreciate it. Those weeds are rich in iron and will help give her energy.
Yes, dunno why she complains! lol.
I have insulin dependent diabetes. The industry around that is staggering - even in a country midway between the UK and the' States in terms of health care. Well writ, Soren.
The soren/soheil exchange (above) is well worth an extra read.
My heart is with you Dave wish you well. Some medications are absolutely necessary but should be available to all regardless of economic level. It is the system that is the problem from beginning to end. In the US it is supposed to be illegal for the doctors on the FDA that approves medications to hold stocks in the pharmaceutical area to prevent conflict of interest but some do through family and have vested interests in approving certain drugs. This goes all the way down the chain to simple doctors that are coerced by pharmaceutical companies through trips and money for lectures they may never give for prescribing more medications of a certain type. Also companies that stop production of medications that have outlived patents and have generics that are cheaper in favor of new medications that are label only and much more expensive even if not as effective as the old ones. This and much more Thanks so much for the read and comment Dave.
'Theres Gold in them there Ills'. Your not wrong.
There's plenty of money to be made from being Ill. These People are Raking it in.
An enjoyable Write.
Thanks so much Kevin for the read and comment. Yes there is money in the return customer.
What a blistering piece, Soren! You tear into the machinery that monetizes sickness while the people needing help are pushed further beneath it…angry, relentless, and painfully relevant. Powerful write, my friend! 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Thanks Tristan I appreciate the read and comment my friend
I have extensive knowledge in what you write about. Great write. You hit it.
Thanks so much for the read and comment it is most appreciated
My first wife was a pharmacist. She was nice, but I get your point.
Pill free. Poetry's my medicine.
Thanks for sharing.
In the UK we get pills free on the NHS.
Still a problem though.
Thank you so much for the read and comment. I am not antidrug there are some necessary and helpful but the industry is a profit making organization where profit is first and health second.
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