Monday, 11/22/2010 (5:30 am)
Woke up this morning with the lines of a poem I wrote years ago titled To a Friend. I realize now that thoughts of Denis hovered yesterday while I was at the Miami Book Fair as an author, showcasing two of my published books. It was as if Denis was reaching out to me in some way, gently not pushy. I briefly acknowledge him and then went back to the task at hand, the book fair. I wonder how Denis is doing. Is he still alive? I hope so. Denis is a former co-worker when I worked for the Port Authority of NY & NJ.
As thoughts of Denis linger this morning, I find myself thinking about the whole epidemic of HIV/AIDS. This disease is not gender/age/race/country/status/wealth/lifestyle orientation-specific. Its deadly fingers can be felt in every area of the world, every nook and cranny, leaving millions of people, seemingly without a hope.
Then there is the stigma of the disease, where those afflicted are often treated as outcasts.
Hold up, wait a minute…. each of us, in our own way, MUST show we care. It can be felt in a hug, a kind word, a look of compassion. It starts at “home”, with those closest to us, especially in our communities.
Perhaps the “disease” or “cause” that you are passionate about is cancer, lupus, sickle cell anemia, poverty, domestic violence or war. We are our brother’s/sister’s keeper. We can all lend a hand.
We each have a voice that must be heard.
I share in separate blogs two of my poems written about two former co-workers: To A Friend and The Passing of a Friend.
I am not violating any HIPAA laws on confidentiality by including the names of the individuals. Denis gave me his permission when I wrote the poem. I later presented him a framed copy when I published my first book. I am honored that he allowed me to be his “voice”.
In the 2nd poem, the family of Bernie who passed away gave me the okay to include his name. I am humbled and honored that they allowed me to read it at his funeral. (Let me include here that one man is Caucasian, the other was African American. So, you see, race is not an exemption.)
Peace & Blessings always!