Twenty-eight years ago
you never knew what she had.
It only happened once,
but once, was all it took.
A few years later
a test confirmed,
HIV positive
Another kick to the stomach,
the hard life you lived.
Things seemed to crash down,
It's over, you kept thinking.
So many medicines
so many tests.
Life draining away,
the feeling of unrest.
Your wife, and your children
no one knew.
But you told your friend,
who's daughter worked with you.
"Don't let her touch me.
when I am cut and bleeding,"
you told my mother then.
But still, my father
we were working on houses,
new roofs, new lives.
The birds sang happiness,
and the bees flew by.
You never saw the nail
that scraped your skin.
But I saw the blood that formed
l ike a petal of blooming roses,
a raindrop, upon skin.
I took your arm
bandaged with care.
"Baby, please stop,
I'm HIV, don't be scared".
But Daddy, you know
I'm really not scared.
I know you, and love you,
without a care.
Three years,
they have come and gone.
Being sick and scared,
while the bills stacked up,
and money was short.
But the medicines
oh! the medicines,
so expensive to start.
I tried to help
with the cost of these drugs.
But it seems to fade,
as quickly as begun.
It's horrifying
how it begins so suddenly.
First it was your eyes,
Slowly going blind.
Surgery could not replace,
the sight you had lost.
Your walking became unsteady
as the medicines sapped your strength.
As I changed the dressings
around your eyes,
I could feel your fear,
as the pain radiated
throughout your tensed body.
Since that time
it has been five years.
Assisted living homes,
a place to call your own.
Your wife and kids
have abandoned you,
and left you all alone.
But here I am,
your adopted daughter.
It's been 10 years
since we first met,
and I am hear to stay,
beside your bed,
on the nights you get so sick.
And when the fear spreads through your face,
I will hold your hand,
and be there to comfort your soul.
Author notes
This is about my dad, well, He's not really my dad, He was my neighbor when I was growing up. He became my best friend, my mentor, my dad. He looked after me, got me into trouble with my mom when I was doing things I shouldnt have been doing. His name is Mikey, He has been living with HIV for 28 years, I have held his hand, bought his medicines, and taken care of them. Now I live in GA, and he lives in VA, But every time I make a trip there, I make plans to see him, and take care of anything he needs. he is by all rights my dad, and the grandfather of my 3 children, they call him Papi.
Also I wanted to thank a very special person who helped me edit my poem to make it sound a bit better! My AP mom, Angel Whispers Thankyou so much for helping me mom!
One more thing: I began writing this for the contest "International World AIDS Day 2008 by lordoftherings" When I first saved it as a rough draft, I decided I wanted more feedback on it, before submitting it. When I believed it was ready, that was when I submitted. I hope you enjoyed this write, and thankyou Lordoftherings, for the courage and inspiration!
A contest entry
- Short and sweet by poetyaknoit.
550 points, ended December 8, 2008, 36 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - International World AIDS Day 2008 by lordoftherings.
9000 points, ended January 24, 15 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Make this THE largest Contest EVER on AP [enter, enter, enter!] by Symphony.
18000 points, ended April 28, 1011 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What do you feel when you read this?
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
-
Wow...
What a dedicated friend, and daughter you are - I know that you said he's not your real father, but to be honestly, as in many cases, it doesn't need to be biological to be a real relationship, and it sounds like you've been a daughter to him all along -
Very beautifully written, it's scary how irresponsible we can all be, leading to events like this happening - or, that they happen without us knowing -
That story of his nail on the roof was so simply yet described with great imagery ....
I applaud you for your dedication to him
Thanks for sharing this with us
-
I really felt empathy towards the speaker in the poem. I have witnessed many friends, collegues, acquaintances who have been in this situation. I found caregiving one of the most difficult tasks of all my activism activities. I think it was the feeling of getting close to someone who was about to leave this world. Yet, there is dedication in these people who continue to do it today. I know that. I went from the caregiver to be cared. Another psychological adjustment at the thought of having lost control. But I learned we only lose control if we chose to lose control.
As for the poetic devices I asked to be used, this is where I felt the poem lacked. We have a story but only on the surface, the raw emotion is devoid by the sugaring of abstractness. Yes there are a few striking lines that stand out but they veer more to underuse clichés (those phrases that are not yet cliché but should be): a raindrop, upon skin; the birds sang happiness and the bees flew by. Can you not find something new and fresh to state these images? (If you want help with this, check out some of my poetry on my homepage under HIOV/AIDS and see how I treat concrete/imagery compared to abstract.)
I want to thank you for contributing to this contest.
Gregg
-
Your writing brings tears to the eyes. You convey so much of the love you feel for your 'dad' and the dismay at seeing him suffer. A beautiful piece.
-
Terrific imagery, the flow is nice and steady, and so emotion provoking! You have worked hard on this, taken such an interest, and it shows. Great job!
-
This is sad and touching and beautiful all at the same time. I can't imagine what it's like to go through what you and he are going through, but your strength is an inspiration, and you are truly doing something special. Nice write, best of luck in the contest with this.
-
That was visual
I liked how I saw the processes, but I think I want to know the wife's Point of View now. . .
-
that was bful and real
thank you for your insight and compassion of this real life. that was inspiring and encourgeing and tough, sad broken , but so bful , and thank you , brillent write with your herat and soul
-
No hard critiquing here, this is a write filled with a life's story and blanketed in love and humanity. A disease does not make a person, and you were one who believed in that and in return you were blessed with a relationship that will live with you your whole life through. Great job in capturing so much emotion.
-
No one knows for sure anymore
Bless your heart for the love you gave to him and wasnt afraid like most people who abandon them in there hour of need . No one ever knows for sure anymore for this country is riddled with people with aids that keeps it quiet and yet there are those who goes from one to another and never seems to get it .Sure is hard to understand why but we cant leave ones behind can we the love must go on and give them what they so need for none of us could do it alone AND WE NEVER KNOW
-
wow i really liked that one
keep it up man -
this is heart wrenching!
Straight to the heart write, giving up your self for the love of another, beautiful !!! May God truly bless you for loving one of His own!
Blessing
Rend
-
Hey so my only rule was 30 lines or less, but somehow u kept my attention for 88! I know how this is all too well so I could def relate. Stay strong. Keep on writing, ~TC
-
how heartbreaking this must be for you watching someone you love go through this, you seem like a very strong person and i wish you well.
well done stay strong xx
Adding your comment:
1 - 14 of 14
