It comes in silence, unseen, unheard

Sharp as words, no screams, no threat

Yet shakes the nation walls, fracturing dreams.

It doesn’t ask or request nor plead to stay

It reigns and plants its seed.

A virus so small, yet strong in might

Twists the body, turning the healthy to moving corpses

Bodies drained by the scourge of the virus.

Hospitals, once places of hope

Turned into mortuaries.

A life once bright begins to mourn.

Its name, whispered in the corridors in darkness,

The fear that lingers in the air

The fear of knowing- life will never be fair,

The fear of joining the dance with death.

A stigma, borne of shame, constantly fighting a losing game.

A lasting mark with judgement passed.

Today, we speak with voices raised,

To break the silence and kick the ignorance

To clear the skies and lift the cloud.

Unified, filled with compassion and love

We will fight this battle, you and me.

AIDS will not break us.

BY SSEMPIJJA JONATHAN