No-showed verse from AOWL

[Dominate]

topic was “One of the things you learn, after years of dealing with drug people, is that everything is serious”



We drank champagne from the beakers. The results had concluded significance.
After years of immovable diligence, we had the cure. Pharmaceutic deliverance.
The elation was fevered. Back slapping, we partied & lit
cigars from a Bunsen burner, talked of Nobel laureateship.
In a drunken fervor, I laughed. Looked to the stars, drank in the ether.
It wasn’t until later that I realized the taint in our research…
.
.
“Profit drives innovation”. That loophole was hardly a new phrase.
My colleagues strived to embrace it & soon drove Ferraris on Tuesdays.
The price was inflated. Our creation became a commodity
& our operation’s philosophy was taking all profits through patent monopolies
that gave rise to exorbitant fees. An extortionist scheme.
The reach of salvation had been shortened by corporate greed.
By day, I held life in my hand in the form of a little white pill.
By night, I watched the news reports & counted the little guys killed.
The medal I’d once worn proudly hadn’t had the same gleam in a while
I drank vodka from a chipped mug, & saw no reason to smile.