Medicine

I thought I'd put my little poem here, Medicine, that is the one that I get requests for the most. I started this poem after I was driving to my office one day and noticed how I just had to listen to the Johnny Cash song on the radio. I tried to figure out why he was so compelling. The poem is included in my manuscript, Folk Remedies. In the poem, I've changed the gender of the singer. I think it might be true.

Here it is:


Medicine

The singer has our hearts because
we know she's been to the other side.

How do you make a healer? Hurt him and
then let the trees put him back together.

So, why do I tremble?
I'm being made useful.

This medicine only works
for the believer.

© 2002 Cristopher Anderson
All Rights Reserved