the grim reaper adverts
show on television sets
told of a disease which
was not sparing of upsets

the virus spread quickly
among the gay community
so too within the *** worker
and blood donor's fraternity

famed people contracted
its most awful lade
they weren't excused
from its dark *****

their faces became
very hollow of look
not like those seen
in a healthy picture book

Rock Hudson
Arthur Ashe
Freddie Mercury

medical researchers
joined in a global fight
to contain the splay
of this dreaded blight

International Aids Day
is marked on the calendar to- day
a day to remember the many folks
who won't be here this day