The Patient is Commodified

The patient is commodified, the patient is dead,
No soul breathes forth from the lifeless form

The patient is commodified, the patient is dead,
No life emanates from he that once lived

The patient is commodified, the patient is dead, only
Organs and bones comprise that once vibrant soul

The patient is commodified, the patient is dead,
Just a thing to be defiled is all that remains

The patient is commodified, the patient is dead,
No dreams, no humanity, no soul sings nigh

The patient is commodified, the patient is dead,
A mere object to be used and discarded for gain

A lifeless form lying on the examination table, and
All too ripe for a bestial villain from the depths of

Dermatology, to brutally thrust his apelike paws into
Your genitalia, and then break out in a devilish grin

David Penner has taught English and ESL within the City University of New York and at Fordham. His articles on politics and health care have appeared in CounterPunch, Dissident Voice, Dr. Linda and KevinMD; while his poetry has been published with Dissident Voice. Also a photographer, he is the author of three books: Faces of Manhattan Island, Faces of The New Economy, and Manhattan Pairs. He can be reached at: 321davidadam@gmail. Read other articles by David.