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Open Poetry #14
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One Day At The Pharmacy
| Open Poetry #14 |
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One Day At The Pharmacy |
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athena4 Senior Member
since 2000-12-10
Posts 622 |
One Day At The Pharmacy It was mid-afternoon, and the line wasn't too long. There was a small old woman, in a brown tattered coat standing ahead of me. As I became distracted, spying a magazine on a rack I clumsily dropped my prescription slip. The slip became airborn, as it danced and landed at this old woman's foot. Before I could claim it, the little figure slowly bent down, turned around, and handed it to me. Her face was a tapestry of wrinkles, etched from years of experiences. But her eyes were soft and bright. Loving and sweet like an angel. She smiled at me, like a little child, and handed me the slip. I gently took the slip from her shaking hand, and thanked her very much. The counter became available as she moved up in line. The pharmacist presented her with a small bottle, quoted the price, and with disbelief, my ears heard "$100". The old woman fumbled in her pocketbook, her hand still shaking and said "Oh dear, I have to get food, too. I am sorry for your trouble" At that moment, with every fiber of my being, I wanted to buy that bottle for this sad small soul, but I could not. For I did not have the resources to make it all better. I was angry. Angry at myself for not being able to assist. Deeply disappointed in the pharmacy for having to follow the "rules". And outraged at the "system" and the injustice for forcing our elderly to choose between nourishment and medication. She turned from the counter, head down, still clutching her pocketbook, and hobbled towards the door. The bottle of pills, still sitting on the counter. I just wanted to reach out, and take her in my arms and let her know someone cared. But I could not. As I watched her heading for the exit, her tiny figure becoming even smaller, a man stared... a child pointed... ...And I cried. |
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| © Copyright 2001 athena4 - All Rights Reserved | |||
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VAS Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450Oregon |
It really huts when you can't help, doesn't it. This should be sent to our congressmen, especially the ones that are against prescription drugs being part of medicare. |
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athena4 Senior Member
since 2000-12-10
Posts 622 |
VAS, Thank you for the sweet reply. It does hurt so to see the injustices and lack of concern given to so many souls in need. And a Congressman may indeed read this, but would he and his brethren have enough compassion to change the system? It's a comfort to know that people like you can take it to heart, but sadly we do not have the power to turn the tables. Thanks for reading. Elise |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
a sad commentary. . . on an all too real problem. . . you've shown it well here elise. . . --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. |
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athena4 Senior Member
since 2000-12-10
Posts 622 |
Sven, Thank you, my friend. I knew with a heart as big as yours, you would understand.. Love, Elise |
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MARK V SHELDON Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 3015In a corporeal internship... |
We DO have the power, but it will take each and every individual to exercise it in order for a change to happen... THAT, unfortunately seems to be where the ideal is never actualized because complacency, ignorance, and selfishness are much easier paths to travel. A very moving description, Elise, and I can totally empathize with what you have presented here. This inspires me to post another poem, "WE GO ON (APATHY KILLS)"... thank you for spurring us to think... -MVS "If you think you know it all, you have a lot to learn." |
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athena4 Senior Member
since 2000-12-10
Posts 622 |
Mark, Thank you so much. If only those in power with the ability to alter the system, had the capacity to look through the smokescreen of the monetary return and view those in need as souls equal to them, and not statistics. As the saying goes, "Even the longest of journeys begins with the first step". Maybe someday... Elise |
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Victoria
since 2000-08-12
Posts 5869 |
So sad..and quite scary to put yourself in her place down the road..good thing im not a pharmacist i would end up giving all the medicine away ha.. |
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athena4 Senior Member
since 2000-12-10
Posts 622 |
Victoria, Thanks for reading. And yes, I too would be giving all the medicine away, and not feel guilty a bit! Elise |
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SmittenKitten Senior Member
since 2001-06-20
Posts 1131where the sky and horizon meet |
Such a sad reality....the world needs more kind souls like you to obliterate the injustices. ~Krista |
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athena4 Senior Member
since 2000-12-10
Posts 622 |
Krista, Thank you so much. I'm sure anyone who witnessed that sad scene (and certainly all the huges hearts on the Forum!) would feel the same way. Compassioniate, but desperately helpless, nonetheless. Elise |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Without medical insurance I don't know how any of us will be able to afford the high cost of medicine and drugs...James |
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catalinamoon
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
Good points made here, it brings to mind a story a friend told me, about an old man that was at the store ahead of her husband, and did not have enough money for his cigarettes. I know they are not as important as medicine. But this old man had brought pennies, and was just a little short, and sadly walked away from the counter. And her husband said wait, and bought them and gave them to the old man. A small kindness, but it would be nice if these types of things could be done more often. It's horrible to have to choose between food and medicine. I think we need a complete anarchy in this country to recover it. But I better not say that too loud..shh.  S |
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athena4 Senior Member
since 2000-12-10
Posts 622 |
James, Touche' to that! It's frightening to think of those who do not have the coverage. Thanks for reading. Elise |
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athena4 Senior Member
since 2000-12-10
Posts 622 |
Sandra, You and I are only too familiar with the inequities in this world. But just knowing there are people who care, makes the trevails a little easier... Love, Elise |
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JLR Senior Member
since 2001-02-04
Posts 1785 |
Elise---I smiled sadly as I read Victoria's response to your poem...because I am a pharmacist. Better I should say, I hold a license to practice pharmacy, though have not actively used it for several years. And the scenario your poem painted is one of the reasons why I have chosen to pursue another career. I can't tell you how many times I saw exactly this happen, how many times I paid for the prescription myself...and not just the elderly, but parents who could not afford antibiotics for their children. And one day I'll never forget, an old man whose wife had died brought her medication back to the pharmacy because it had been so expensive, he didn't want it to go to waste and he thought we could give it to someone who needed it but couldn't afford to pay for it. I can't tell you how many memories flooded through me when I read your poem...both happy and sad. But I can say without a doubt, that the system is not going to change and I do not regret for a minute that I am no longer part of it...though often now, it is me who can't afford to pay for the prescription. |
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athena4 Senior Member
since 2000-12-10
Posts 622 |
J, Oh, what sad inequities you have witnessed. I'm near tears just reading your reply. And for the ederly, the children, and anyone who cannot pay, there is no justice.I can unequivocally understand why you chose another path. I'm not putting down the profession, by any means, we need them, and the rules are not theirs to make. I hope you are happy in your new career, and you are a very kind soul. Thanks for reading. Elise |
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