Poem of the Day: “Prescription (Imperative #5)” by Kris Rhodes

Songs of Eretz Poetry Review is pleased to present “Prescription (Imperative #5)” by Kris Rhodes.  Mr. Rhodes is a Philosophy professor residing in Indianapolis. He has had poems featured in poetrycircle.org, Songs of Eretz, and Star*Line.

Prescription (Imperative #5)
Kris Rhodes

When next you feel
the aforementioned ache
take my advice: concentrate

on the throb, the burn,
notice it still hurts but
you don't mind so much.

Now examine the effect
itself. Apply it once more.
Concentrate, the hurting-

but-not-minding beginning
now to fade. Think about
how you don't mind me

being so right but you
kind of do. Afterwards,
call me up with all your

questions
and comments.

Poet’s Notes: This is one poem out of a series I call "Imperative Poems." In the series I try to find different ways to involve an imagined audience not necessarily the reader, though the use of the imperative puts pressure on readers to place themselves in that audience.

Editor’s Note:  As a physician, I'm a sucker for a well-done prescription conceit, and this poem certainly fills it!