Hoodie

He comes quickly through the back door Weary from wearing his faded hood And we welcome him warmly once more As all caring humans ever should His illness we know too well to be Many years he’s spent with us He continues enduring the HIV Over him our kind team makes a fuss If only some people could just understand Then silence for good their hard gavel They would truly experience a beautiful man And their judgments of him would unravel For he needs their acceptance especially now As the road is increasingly rough And what is important is not the “how” But let love and support be enough Then his thirty year’s journey won’t come to an end As the sun again bathes his dear face And at last his long broken spirit can mend Ever free to be safe in this place

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Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 12/5/2018 10:42:00 AM

My heart cried after reading this soul touching poem, Mark. Ty for sharing these beautiful words of compassionate wisdom. Truly significant poem ... a MUST read! Pure poetry, my dear friend. Love and more love always.

Mark Elam
Date: 12/5/2018 11:53:00 AM

Freddie I am glad the poem touched your heart. Let us all continue to speak out for those who do not have a voice.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 12/2/2018 6:57:00 PM

Tender, touching, and ever-timely...And who knows the why or the how...My younger sister got HIV from a tainted blood transfusion in L.A. during a brain tumor operation. But she was taken for a 'no-good lesbo' during a monumental struggle with this awful virus... Here's to your sensitive persona and pen! Best wishes, Gershon

Mark Elam
Date: 12/2/2018 7:21:00 PM

Gershon appreciate your kind comments. HIV has harmed so many and we must continue to fight until this epidemic ends and a cure is found.

Constance La France

Date: 12/2/2018 11:11:00 AM

Mark, your poem touched my heart, it is such a meaningful write, well done ~

Mark Elam
Date: 12/2/2018 5:19:00 PM

Thank you Dear Heart! It is a topic near and dear to me.

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 12/1/2018 7:37:00 PM

It is a terrible disease that takes the lives of many. They need compassion and acceptance or else the soul dies, Thanks for sharing dear poet. Please leave a few comments come Sunday. Hopefully we can generate good feelings and new friendships, through gratitude & awareness .

Mark Elam
Date: 12/2/2018 5:19:00 PM

The World AIDS day observances around the world definitely help. More compassion and acceptance is certainly still needed! Thanks for your kind comments!

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 12/1/2018 9:27:00 AM

This is a sad one. In the early days of aids people were shunned and no one would touch them. That lack of human touch added to their sense of isolation.

Mark Elam
Date: 12/1/2018 10:03:00 AM

So true Richard. The stigma remains and increasing awareness will hopefully decrease it. Thanks for commenting.