Poetry Day: Around and Round the Medicine Bush

Posted on April 21, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

You’re Only Old Once by Dr. Seuss

(This was heavily inspired by one of my favorite books growing up.  Dr. Seuss’s ‘You’re Only Old Once’ had a part called the Pill Drill.  I loved it as a kid even though I didn’t know what it meant.  It was just silly to me.  Now, I understand it all too well.)

You take the blue pill for your cough

But it leaves you with an ache.

*

You swallow square pills for the ache

But then you get a rash.

*

You smear the ointment to erase the rash

But you wake up with oozing ears.

*

You use a wash to clean your ears

But you lose your sense of taste.

*

You chew on green pills to revive your tongue

But gain a burning in your gut.

*

You drink the potion to ease your gut

But now you have the runs.

*

You pop an enema to stop the runs

But it costs you all your hair.

*

You bathe in lotion to regrow your hair

But it makes you hear dark voices.

*

You slurp a syrup to stop the voices

But now you cannot use your legs.

*

You have the surgery to walk again

But your lungs fill up with pus.

*

You inhaler the mist to erase the pus

But it leaves you with a cough.

About Charles Yallowitz

Charles E. Yallowitz was born, raised, and educated in New York. Then he spent a few years in Florida, realized his fear of alligators, and moved back to the Empire State. When he isn't working hard on his epic fantasy stories, Charles can be found cooking or going on whatever adventure his son has planned for the day. 'Legends of Windemere' is his first series, but it certainly won't be his last.
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18 Responses to Poetry Day: Around and Round the Medicine Bush

  1. Chris The Story Reading Ape says:
    April 21, 2022 at 11:12 am

    Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
    Love this poem from Charles 😂

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  2. John W. Howell says:
    April 21, 2022 at 3:09 pm

    Sounds pretty typical, Charles. I was taking a pill that cost $175.00 a month. I asked the Doc if there was anything cheaper and he said, “Yes but there is a constipation side effect.” Swell.

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  3. Bette A. Stevens says:
    April 21, 2022 at 4:38 pm

    Living the life… 😎 Thanks for sharing, Charles! xo

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  4. L. Marie says:
    April 21, 2022 at 5:28 pm

    Oh my word. Such a merry-go-round! Well described! I can’t help thinking of the need for probiotics after taking antibiotics.

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  6. OIKOS™- Art, Books & more says:
    April 21, 2022 at 6:17 pm

    What a wonderful and predictive poem! 😉 Thanks for sharing, Charles! Enjoy a beautiful Friday! xx Michael

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  7. coldhandboyack says:
    April 22, 2022 at 7:10 am

    It’s fun, but there’s so much truth behind it.

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  8. Pingback: *Press This* Poetry Day: Around and Round the Medicine Bush #229 | Its good to be crazy Sometimes

  9. Darlene says:
    April 23, 2022 at 6:16 am

    This rings more true the older we get!

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