Heard in the news a month ago; some famous guy died. The story related that he had gone under the knife for not just one or two, but 3 cardiac bypass surgeries! It reminded me of this poem I wrote in 1995.

In Love With Your Disease

It is morally unethical
To waste our money on these sinners,
The ones that abuse the cigarettes
The alcohol and high fat dinners,
Revasculated bodies, we saved them
And what for?
They’ll resume their usual habits
When they exit out our door.

We ought to offer just one trip
On the luxury surgical cruise,
Forgiveness for their sinful ways
Why, everyone pays their dues,
But should they come back crying
And begging, “Doctor, please”,
We’ll send them packing, “Sorry, pal
But you’re in love with your disease”.

Fibril_late; 4/95