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DNA
By Brett A. Starr on December 22, 2021
​
​
(by the way
12-22-21
is a palindrome and
an ambigram,
for numerologists)
​
This picture obtained from
​
Johan Swanepoel
I’m sure you’ve all heard of DNA.
The microcosmic stuff from which we’re made.
But if you’re curious and dig a little more.
You’ll learn something you’ve never heard before.
Ten pentagons positioned in a circular array.
It’s just the top view of our DNA.
The double-helix unequally spaced.
The geometry is sacred and falls into place.
Like two spiraling snakes ascending high
Climbing a ladder up into the sky
Adenine, guanine, thymine and cytosine
Funny names – what do they mean?
Instructions are delivered every day
Through the messenger RNA
Daughter molecules are replicas
That interplay the cells in all of us.
Did you notice the similarity –
Of the DNA’s spiraling
And ancient Greece’s Caduceus?
A coincidence seen by some of us.
This symbol of two entwined snakes
About a staff with wings it makes
Not to be confused with Asclepius –
The rod of one snake is not Caduceus.
Either way, you may wonder why
Professionals of medicine mostly comply
The Asclepius rod with one snake reeling
Reveals the Greek god of healing.
Yet, some still use the double snake –
A tough historic habit to break.
The U.S. Army Medical Corps
Use this symbol during peace and war.
To care for soldier’s injuries
To heal the wounds and treat disease.
But, the W.H.O. and the A.M.A.
Chose the rod with the single snake.
Along with India, Britain and France
If you don’t believe me, just take a glance.
But, despite the rod and serpent confusion
We all are amazed by the allusion.
How a creature known for destruction –
Is used to symbolize healing instruction.
You see – the characteristic of the snake
The shedding of skin, make no mistake
Resembles the transition of sickness to cure
To prolong our lives and help us endure.
The ailments of life along the way
To preserve our body’s DNA.
Another symbol of a snake
An ouroboros, a circle makes
Represents the immortality –
The circle of life, and infinity.
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