Quilts, Flags, and other Wrappings, From a series on AIDS Options

[saore]

This is formated, but the format does not show up here. These are bits and pieces put together about the fate of a few dear friends who died of AIDS. The events are all true but they do not belong to one specific person.

~~~~~~~~~~~





Quilts, Flags, and other Wrappings


I started the quilt
when the only reminder
of civility I had was a stuffed doll

whose button eyes fell off.
Sewed while bathing

under the moon’s eclipse
and watched you throw my porcelain spoons,
a collection of gifts, against the wall.

I stopped stitching
when you drove that bulldozer
in sight of all those present

at Jose's welfare funeral just because
he was gay, and my friend.
Stared at the tangled patches of quilt
as they threw me into a paddy wagon

took me to jail for protesting
that unwinnable war.
I climbed into bed even as Allen lay

covered with Kaposi’s sarcoma
to calm both our fears, his and mine.

Studied you when a signature
to keep your only brother
from becoming homeless
made you shudder
at the funeral expense if he died
while the blotch of endearment you gave him

was still on that piece
of white insignificance.
Then I added the names.

[Alan]

Dear Saore,

I admire your tenacity in writing often about this area, but I also have to admit that I find the going a bit grim. Sorry for that. I have no doubt about the quality of your writing, and what I manage to read shows you can certainly put words together effectively.

I'm telling you this cuz it means I cannot offer proper crit. I do offer respect tho.

Love
Alan

[saore]

Thank you Allen.

I spent 10 years watching most of my friends die from this disease, 84 - 94. I've read some very uplifting poetry on the subject, but I wanted to approach AIDS from a different view. There were too many incidents in which what I saw in human behavior was grim. I wanted to paint my experiences as I felt them. I was silent, did not write, for so many years that my own fears kept me under a constant state of anxiety. So, grim feels like a compliment, along with your other encouraging words.

Thank you,
Sergio

[Guest_ohsteve_*]

Sergio, I am stunned by this. The writing here is awesome, actually it is beyond my words. This really reaches out and grabs. I can't imagine the horror of seeing friends die from this disease. I have read and seen a lot of different things about HIV/AIDS but your words really seemed to make things closer and more real to me. Maybe because I am looking a death myself from a different type of disease, while not as nasty still kills a large percentage of Americans. Yes, this is grim, but I feel it is just the right sort of grim to capture the horror. Very well done on this. My respect to you also for standing with your friends, in their time of need.

If you use copy/paste from a word processor into the white block, before posting you should be able to reformat within the white space to your original. I know I have had to redo some of mine that way. If it is still not formating the way you want, you may have to contact Lori or Peter(Imhotep) to help. I hope this is of some help.
Steve

[saore]

Steve I am sad to hear about your health problems.

I have reached an age where I have started to get ill too. Nothing serious, but I was in bed for a month and a half. At one point I thought I was going to die from the medication. That was almost four months ago. I have started to be on my feet for up to 4 hours a day now (this week). I hope I will be able to take my long contemplative walks again sometime soon. I used to walk 2 hours a day 3 times a week. I had a cellulitis infection. It's the first time I have ever been sick.

Your words are very kind and supportive. I really appreciate that.

Sergio

[Guest_ohsteve_*]

Sergio, The majority of us here at MM seem to be of the baby boomer generation, and we are all of an age were the body begins those protests. I am sorry you too have been ill. We all will pass sooner or later I just happen to know to a closer date when mine will be is all. I think this might be a good nomination for the IBPC and will so nominate it.

Steve

[saore]

Thank you Steve,

It would be an honor. Yes, we will all go, but my hope is that you keep writing and allow us to enjoy your verses for however long that might be.

Hugs,
Sergio

[Thoth]

Well embroidered with carefully selected thoughts and unusual images, stitched into one with great skill. The overall effect is quite remarkable and disturbing which of course it is intended to be.

Great work Sergio, right on the nail once more! I second Steve's nomination for IBPC.

May the new year restore your health.
Cheers,

Wally

[saore]

Dear Steve, Wally,

I spent a night checking my files to make sure I was following the IBPC rules and regulations. I thought the poem might not have been accepted for publication, but I found that it has been accepted for publication. Apparently the publishers had sent me an email stating they wanted it, but I never received it. When I sent them an email withdrawing the submission. They responded by letting me know they had accepted this poem. I don't think it go into my spam. I think something else happened, but that is besides the point. I can no longer accept the nomination. Thank you both, and please forgive.

Sergio

[Guest_ohsteve_*]

Sergio, No Problem, I understand, congradulations on having this published. Can you tell us where, the name of the publisher? I have had only two published and the second one wasn't in a real well known magazine. So I applaud that you have accomplished this.

Steve

[saore]

Steve I will send you a list of some places, I think this will show up at Caper but it's not up yet.

I'll get right to this.

Sergio

[Siren]

Hey Sergio,

This is truly a very well written, touching, blend and I send you kudos on a job well done, but I do have some issue with your line breaks. Obviously since the format can't be posted in this poem's original shape, I am sure that that could be the reason the line breaks kind of fuzz me. *smile*

I do agree that this is a worthy nomination for the IBPC.

Till the next one.

Dani

[saore]

Thank you,

Things get accepted for publication but I keep working them because my main interest is looking to the future: when I publish my second chapbook. But this one is finished. All these AIDS poems have a connection, they are all related in some way to my faith. Now that I watch how the people in Haiti are being buried that line about the bulldozer and the welfare funeral has an even higher intensity. Thank you.

Sergio

[Kimi]

Sergio,
This is touching to read, How sad for anyone to have to go through what you have. Your writing shows your struggles and pain. I am so sorry to hear you are ill, I hope you get better soon.
kimi

[saore]

Kimi I can walk again. I am all cured. Plus I went to see my shrink and he says that all is well for now. Tank you Kimi.

Sergio