jeremy's farewell....

an ode to a foster-brother who died of AIDS

jeremy

trapped in the webs

of this disease

pulling away at strands

that only come back

weakened

300 lbs and lost

in identity

but he was true

to himself

just not the outside world

he would only see his teens

he had been beaten

by straights

turned against

by jesus

shunned

by family

he carried a purse

wore a skirt

and doc martens

when he finally came out

and he looked

like jeremy

should have looked

one night

one lover

who wasn't clean

who didn't know

and jeremy was lost again

dying from the inside out

his hands were still warm

in that hospital gown

though dry

and trembling

he still smiled

till the time

he finally said good bye

the system made us brothers

time made us friends

and i watched angrily

as he wasted away

his friends

his ex loves

still write

and we still gather

and we remember

this young man

who claimed

to be "more man then you'll ever be

and more woman then you'll ever get"

that still makes me laugh

jeremy

more than a statistic

better than any hateful joke

another human being

taken out of this sick game

miss you, brother...

Author's Note

jeremy was my foster brother back in the early 90's, he was openly gay and introduced me to that culture. he contracted AIDS in 95 and i watched him go down slowly. miss him.

Reviews

[Kerry O'Connor]

...dying from the inside out...and the last thing to go is his smile.
You have shared a story of true courage and honesty - and it' a story all should read and acknowledge.

[David W Moore III]

very powerful, Last night on glee, there was a statement that still lingers, "How can I believe in a god that made me gay, and then has his followers berate me for it being my choice. Tough world it is we live in, and not always sensible.

[Crinkle°]

wow, it's intense....

[Matthews Reggie]

this is so beautiful..... so heart-touching, painful and of course sweet and loving..... really a great ode to ur brother...... it felt like i had met him in person.... great write.... thanks for sharing....

[Liza]

so sorry for your loss
and his pain
may he rest in peace

[.]

that was really heart moving, your pain and treasured memories of a fine human being come across in this really personal tribute..I am sure he would be delighted that you wrote a poem for him..