Monday, May 5, 2014

May Polio

The World Health Organization
says that the promising
downward trend

of polio infections
could soon reverse itself
as polio has re-emerged
in 10 countries

including war-torn
Central African Republic
and South Sudan.

The organization's
new rules require Pakistan
Syria and Cameroon

to vaccinate anyone
traveling abroad
at least four weeks in advance
of his or her departure

but it's good advice
for the rest of us

to "Don't hate
but rather
vaccinate

for it ain't the polio
that made FDR great

and if you don't like FDR
then 'Win one for the Gipper'

by taking a deep breath
turning off Fox News

and keeping your mind alive
by ruing that Obamacare

somehow didn't
make you sicker."

This poem © 2014 Emily Cooper.