Overstaffed

[deckardcanine]

The Rod of Asclepius, medical symbol,
Is wreathed by a singular snake.
It’s not the caduceus, with two snakes and wings,
Though that often is used by mistake.

Ironically, Hermes’ caduceus was known
To send souls to the land of the dead.
In fairness, if used on a newly dead body,
It did resurrection instead.

In fact, the caduceus has multiple meanings,
In keeping with Hermes himself.
Among them are alchemy, shepherds’ protection,
And people with ill-gotten pelf.

It may be worth noting the two rods’ confusion
Is mostly across the U.S.,
Whose medical system, by many accounts,
Is a terribly greed-driven mess.