Illness

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It’s hard to face your friends and say,
“I remember better days”
of peace and love when people cared
and only war made people scared

But like a bullet from a smoking gun
through our blood disease now runs
Innocent victims slowly die
while to sleep we fear, in dreams we cry

Yeah, look at all our love once shared
Now making love makes people scared
Afraid to touch, afraid to die
We stand alone but the whole world cries.

Oh please hold my hand as I grow cold
To be so young yet feel so old
Springtime fades like paints in rain
Colours the sky; a rainbows stain

Like a desert river in the sun
from the naked heat we run
Hollow shells of flesh and bone
Feeble spirits, a shattered soul

With desperate eyes we search in vain
this evil world for one to blame
We yearn for love yet never know
only hear our heart beat faintly slow

Now I face my family, friends, and say,
“Oh I remember better days”
Days of love when people cared
and war, not love, made people scared

You see;
All my love has come and gone
“Merlin” never waved a magic wand
Now I pass into a world without disease…and Oh God…Please!
let this death be life my spirit breathes!

T. M. Lowry
6/1986 ©2002

Authors note:
Written in 1986, “Life Impure” expressed my concerned view of A.I.D.S.
“Life Impure” is simple enough for a child to read, however the basic AA-BB form deliberately counters the seriousness of the subject matter. “Life Impure and its anagram (As I Die Slow - A.I.D.S.) carry a deeper message expressed within the symbolism and reflect my sincere compassion for all A.I.D.S. victims. As we casually inflict scars upon ourselves, life slowly drifts into a spiritless culture. “Like a desert river in the sun from the naked heat we run”, illustrates how we have allowed our spirits to vaporize even by the very thing that gives us life. Eyes desperately stare out at a world of tormented souls, tortured by vain misgivings, hollow eyes hopelessly search for answers. Blind by self-delusion and our own unwillingness to accept responsibility, we seek to blame the sufferings upon some unseen reason or unknown force yet, God knows it is simply within us all but to see His Truth.
T. M. Lowry 5/20/03

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