Surprise

Prayer flags near Tibetan monastery

Although you know there’s really no-one there,
have faith! Accept the healing power of prayer.
Doctor Placebo then will take your case,
and banish symptoms, illness and despair.

Of course you may well die from the disease,
the last words on your lips: ‘Oh, quelle surprise!’
(This poem only works if you are French,
or perhaps from one of the ex-French colonies.)