Things They Say

by Lynn White

They used to say
that infections were caused by miasma
that bad air breathed in
led to cholera and plague.
It wasn’t true
and They don’t say it anymore.

They used to say
that Alzheimers was a pre-senile dementia
not afflicting the elderly.
It wasn’t true
and They don’t say it anymore.

The used to say
that IQ tests were an accurate measure
of intelligence.
It wasn’t true
but sometimes They still say it.

They used to say that goldfish had no memory
but the ones in my pond
still hide from me
in loving memory of their friends
disappeared from the overcrowded pond
many months ago.
They seem to blame me and they are right.
They were re-homed without consent.
Now science has caught up
and is celebrating
their memory.

Even goldfish know better
than to believe
the things They say.