A Poem by David I. Joseph (Chakena R. Conway)

HIV Is Not...

HIV is not a virus
Given a face, now it is a life
Personality
Identity
Unbelievable: how it changes he
Devastatingly conquers the pride of she
Should never be the situation of love
When love brought on the front of end
End
That special blend
The crash of hopefulness
This completed slow progress
Then where are they who GOD made?
He, who loved us? Their faith fades.
Enchanted by the reaper...grim on the streets
Ripping out the perforated future
From the book of life, we use to
Shake off fear for we just knew
Invincible love made strong the invisible youth

HIV is not a virus
It is a substance with
The power of multiplication
Bringing down multitudes of nations
Sad
Angry
Tying back tears
Wishing it'll add more years
Alone are they who suffer their fate
Subtracting their hope from unconsciousness
Getting what they deserve
Not getting what they deserve
Getting served
A disease without reason
No turning back the season
That moment of discovery
To the point of understanding
It's not over yet

HIV is not a virus
It is a strength maker
Freedom
Proudly
Given to those who fight
Those who chose to get back life
Life that never dies without trying
Telling me it's over I'm dying
Must all be a few tricks of the mind
Because you know you can't give in
There's so much of you that has to begin
To live like God's intent
Just the aspect of revenge
On a disease all in our heads
Gather up your strength
And will to want to win
A victorious victory through
A never ending health battle
It's not the easiest fight but
We try because of purpose
Purpose from our fate
The fate from our destiny
Our destiny from the book of life
The book of life from the almighty
The almighty from his mercy
His mercy that allowed
Life to suspend for now
But better yet...

HIV is not a virus
It is a motivator
Energy refresher
A battery charger
Smile
Heads high
Go fight
Live life
Make right
What sin made wrong
Take time
And make your life long
Care for you
As only you know how to
Do what it takes for you to do
Tell grim...the reaper,
Your life's not close
To being through
And you know this
Because you just couldn't miss
Your little girl at the prom
Your baby boy getting his first job
Your career, your future
Your family time
The dog you hate
Yep! The one that wakes
You up to make
You go for a walk
You pause and have your talk
To your motivational mind
You say to yourself this is the time
You know you have
To live because...

HIV is not a virus
It's a second chance
To a better life
Better living
Greater understanding
Of bigger responsibilities
For a nation to finally
Take care of them
The way they should

HIV is not a virus
It's a wake up call