A Boy Asks: "AIDS, Do You Have Mercy?"
Examine carefully with your eyes the young boy above. So impeccably dressed. Aqua-colored striped sweater. Casual collar. Neat face and hair. He is intent, reading a poem on the paper while his peers in the background seem busy with other things.
He reads this poem so intelligently, with smart and sharp English diction. You would guess that he is college bound, the class president, a born leader. Yes, God said, "A child will lead them."
The poem that he read was in rhythm, like a song. To get into the flow of the poem, you need the sound of a stick on wood or the beat of a drum.
AIDS, oh AIDS.
The mention of your name scares me out of the darkness.
You crept in and swept our continent, from North to South and from East to West.
Thousands and thousands you have spoiled and killed.
Out of the darkness you crept in and swept away our continent.
AIDS, do you have mercy?
AIDS, oh AIDS.
You are a deadly monster.
You have taken our fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers.
Homes are full of disgrace. Why? Because of Mr. Slim.
Scientists have gone to the moon and made nuclear weapons.
AIDS, do you have mercy?
Dear brothers and sisters, friends and relatives, sons and daughters and my loving parents:
Lend me your ears and get this message right, within your broken heart.
Please, please take care.
To the youth, stop bad habits.
Be faithful to each other.
This monster never sleeps.
There is no cure for AIDS.
AIDS, do you have mercy?
