Skin Deep

 

some worship smooth, flawless, spotless, skin

nurtured with creams, lotions, potions

pale, porcelain or bronzed and beckoning

a nip and tightening tuck or Botox parties

widespread without dread, results often dreadful

older skin baggy, wrinkled, lacking bounce,

thinning, bunching up when bothered,

loose on arms and butt, with moles, splotches,

spots, growths and vessels creating a Pollock-like

pastiche of doubt–maybe danger…

stroking the area between my thumb and first finger

the skin scrunches in concentric waves, like old leather

dreamy, warm, soft, spotted, comforting—

not the least bit creepy, beautiful and real

 

Have you had your check up?

 

Call it a crap shoot–

finding a good doctor

or auto mechanic are

not so different.

 

Schedule a time for the game

of diagnosis, treatment

and holy preventative care.

 

The doc recommends for better health you lose weight,

stop smoking, drink less alcohol,

exercise more, eat a balanced diet,

get immunized—that kind of stuff.

 

The mechanic recommends for better driving,

get the junk out, proper tire

pressure, check oil and water

levels, correct grade of fuel,

don’t make rapid accelerations,

and check brakes and tie bars.

 

The doc might use blood tests, x-rays,

instruments to look into body cavities,

and when things wear out, replace parts

like hips and knees. If things are more serious,

kidneys, livers, hearts, bone marrow and other

organs may be on the replacement list.

 

The mechanic might use an engine analyzer, oscilloscope,

oil analysis, bore scopes to look into hard to see places,

and when things wear out, replace parts like tires, brakes,

points, plugs, rings, and water pumps. For more serious

problems, cylinders, crank shafts, timing belts

and entire engines might be swapped out.

 

Kind of sounds similar don’t you think?

 

Whatever the problem or intervention,

most people want to talk about it,

get an explanation, try to understand—

good luck with that; talking time equals no dollars so

it’s hard to make happen.

 

 

Doctors have lots of schooling and additional training

making for high expectations.

Mechanics often have less formal schooling layered with

lots of additional training, making for high expectations.

Doctors are professionals;

Mechanics are tradesmen;

Who do you trust?

 

A code of ethics should underpin both

and most of both fit that mold.

In the grand scheme, doctors are

more likely to hurt you. Mechanics may

cost you some money; doctors may

cost you much more.

 

So what’s a body to do?

Keep up scheduled maintenance-

Attend to minor ailments and glitches-

Feed the beast properly-

Obey sensible rules-

More than anything,

fingers crossed and hope for the best.