Friday, December 1, 2017

Wake Up!



December 1. Aids Remembrance Day. I remember my daughters father who died of Aids. I remember the journey, the isolation, the fear, the strength, the stretching beyond what I knew possible and the new territory I found myself in on a daily basis. I can never forget the quiet, profound, powerfully indescribable miracles. The immense vulnerability, the unknown, the endless void. The awakening.

This little poem I wrote in 2003. There were horrendous fear based myths being whispered in shadows and dark corners. Little girls were being violated. People were being ostracised, attacked, murdered. Fear was running wild.

I say little poem because it only captures the very tip of a colossal iceberg. It is a performance poem and works better performed and not read. I got to perform it at the opening of woman's parliament in Cape Town with a poetry and performance collective I was part of, I can't remember the year.
Amakwirikwiri is a derogatory term used here that refers to foreigners from our neighbouring African countries.

Wake Up!

This is not
a black
white
gay
amakwirikwiri
lesbian
disease

This is not
an uneducated
misinformed
poor
rural
young prostitute
because you did it on your knees disease

WAKE UP!

There is no cure through violating and raping
the pure
the virgin
the little girl next door
A big man like you
what the hell were you thinking
we'd love to think you feel
and know
more

WAKE UP!

Yes of course you can work with
love
and hug
care for
and help
use the same mug
eat from the same plate
without dooming your fate

WAKE UP!

Stop pretending it's not there
get tested
tell the lovers you've had
whoevers been under
on
in your bed
this is the moment now
to get it in your head

WAKE UP!

What about the infected babies
the children
their silent voices
silent pain
Just because we don't see them
does not mean they do not have a name

WAKE UP!

This is our disease
From Knysna to Nepal
Cape Flats to Cairo
Durban to Dubai

From the boring to the bizaar
it's got us all covered
it affects us all

Look in the mirror
Face the facts
The seeds of change begin with that face staring back

It's urgent
it's dire
It's desperate
Take stock

You are the only one
who can make the choice
to
wake
up.


2003