It could be those medieval hacks Had something right, When they said the way to cure a wound Is with the thing that made it; Holding up a silver blade to sword-gashed skin.
There is wisdom in believing That the elements responsible Must be held responsible:
Silver nitrate has anti-septic properties. All of our choicest bandages are made with it nowadays.
In the same way As nature often teaches Of truths about ourselves We have forgotten -
The only one to clean this cut is you. No matter how I've blotted it dry, laid ointment on Or dressed it up so carefully,
The only balm for this pain's Your apology;
Which, once given, Proved to be both watershed and suture, Bloodlet and tourniquet To my long-cankered sorrow.
~CRH May 2012 Note: Feel free to share my work with others, but please make sure to use my name if you do.