United for Hope: The World AIDS Day Pledge
Today, we stand beneath the solemn sky,
To honour lives lost, and never let them die.
HIV/AIDS, a shadow we cannot ignore,
Still claiming lives, still knocking at the door.
To every soul, regardless of name,
This is a fight we all must claim.
Keep off the networks where danger may lie,
Protect your heart, your body—don’t let dreams die.
To my queer family, bold and true,
This battle is ours; we must see it through.
For too many loved ones, we’ve had to say goodbye,
Let’s stay vigilant, let’s not let hope die.
Let education be the shield we wield,
Knowledge a weapon, a formidable field.
Empower the youth with facts so clear,
To conquer ignorance, dispel the fear.
International voices, hear this call:
Lend your hand, for this fight affects us all.
To refugees, the displaced, those in war-torn lands,
Palestine, and beyond, let’s extend our hands.
To NGOs, with hearts so grand,
Support the vulnerable; let them stand.
Medication, care, and hope to renew,
For the LGBTIQ, and the broken too.
HIV/AIDS is real, a foe we all face,
Let’s combat it together, with love and grace.
On this World AIDS Day, let unity shine,
For a future of health, for a brighter design.
Composed by Joseph K (He/Him)
This blog ©2024 Geoff Allshorn. All rights hereby returned to the poet.