July 2021
Bio Note: I have been very intrigued with how the covid vaccine was created without using any of the covid virus, but rather with using messenger RNA to inform immune cells as to how to create the necessary antigens. I have published three chapbooks, the most recent of which is Icarus: Anthropology of Addiction. I am English language editor for Poetry Hall: A Chinese and English Bilingual Journal and I serve on the board of the Council for Wisconsin Writers.
Hermes Wings Himself Into the Digital Age
Loçolico, king of demons,
passed his crown to Poreskoro
to lord over epidemic disease,
and who, of late,
has left so many gasping for air
and coughing for his sake—
that multitudes weep in wrenching loss.
But now, our immune cells,
with no virus specimen involved,
can be taught to produce antigens from scratch
and overthrow this corona virus.
Sequenced by scientists
and cleanly manufactured,
messenger RNA strands, like
a spiffed-up Hermes for the digital age,
deliver their cellular instructions with aplomb.
A concept first formulated
in the mind of Katalin Karito
from Hungary
who in the 1990’s lacked funding
for her wild idea.
Clear as tears, the covid vaccine
is wheeled into this bright room just now
on a shiny metal cart.
Before lowering the syringe to my upper arm
a nurse in blue scrubs
holds it high
for just a moment
the way a priest holds up the host—
this deliverance from death
a miracle in a message.
©2021 Sylvia Cavanaugh
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