Antibiotic resistance often occurs when populations of bacteria change enough to resist previously effective antibiotics. Using antibiotics unwisely or too frequently can cause the issue. And people who insist on trying this type of medicine to treat their viral illnesses are courting disaster:


​So wondrous the promise of medical advances
That salve the ills of everyday man,
We grasp with hope beyond all chances
At last a glimpse of panacea land.

And so it's been with antibiotics,
Which now too often taken are.
Spectacular success against bacteria
Must surely mean that none shall bar.

Yet viruses block these perfect marvels
Of modern treatment proudly shared.
Like magical shield that shifts and baffles,
They dazzle the foe as long as dared.

The same is true with illnesses viral, 
Like common colds and runny nose,
And sore throat standard, not streptococcal,
Most coughs, most flu, including flows.

To antibiotics, this war is loathsome,
Collateral damage their only whip.
They clear away bacteria welcome, 
Leave space for others, re-equip.

The virus runs its course no matter,
Bacteria—only the fittest survive.
Bacterial resistance advances, gets fatter,
If antibiotic misusage we drive.
​

Italicized text with its quick-looking forward slant came into use more recently than quotation marks, which were ancient by comparison. Based on CMOS guidelines, one way to think of italicization of titles is as follows:

Periodicals, books, not chapters,
Take speedy new italics.
Play titles, too, are faster, 
But shorter poems get relics.

​

​​Transforming words that split in two
Change form and meaning both.
For “anytime,” like “anyway,”
Divorce doth break an oath.

Though “anytime” “whenever” means,
Its parts may speak amount.
And “anyway” (“in any case”)
To “any means” can bound.

And “anymore” may stretch apart,
Not “any longer” claim,
Since “any more” relates to plus,
Which cannot be the same.

Though “maybe” into “may be” shifts,
Some pairs are always one.
“Whereas,” “wherever,” and “someday”
Have parts that never run.

But “every time” no knot will tie,
While “everyday” may stray
To join the group of “everything,”
In larger games to play.

There's a certain delight in having words like “who” and “whom” in the English language. Maybe it’s the same charm that comes with fraternal twins!

Words “who” and “whom” are pronouns both
That dress alike apart from hem.
Yet clothing fails to tell us who
Hath right of place when phrases stem.

One serves as subject, acting out,
The other, object—acted on.
Think “who” might shout and dash about
Regardless “whom” imposed upon.

To know if subject pronoun is,
Try “he” or “she” to substitute.
Its nature true may object be
If “him” or “her” doth  better suit.

Though language changes over time
And fashion cycles ever more,
The hem of “whom” remains the same
While “who” encroaches more to score.

When seeing their physicians, patients may think that it's not important to mention the over-the-counter medications being taken. The truth is quite the opposite:

Your medical history calls for meds, 
Not just the ones prescribed on scripts;
But vitamins and supplements,
And others claimed without such slips.

Well known by doctors old and young
Are interactions these may have.
Some meds will meet with bonhomie
While others fight, requiring salve.

If best results you hope to find,
​Your gentler pills must share the light.
When harmful matchups are foreseen,
The plan must change, avoiding plight.

It is not uncommon for people to be uncertain when choosing between farther and further. The latter is usually appropriate when relating to distance in a metaphorical way, and it may mean “moreover” in some contexts. One absolute difference is that “farther” is never used as a verb.

We run ever farther to further our joy,
Proceeding most strongly and, further, with verve.
We further the skeptics or maybe alloy,
But all will be certain that farther's no verb.

Remember that “further” is broader in scope,
​Beyond simple distance through space or in time.
When “far” is compared by extent or degree,
Then “further” beats farther, its reach more sublime.