Whether the effect is severe or mild,
Remember that this is just a child,
Who may have lost a father or mother;
Friend; a cousin; a sister or brother.
Try to help in practical ways
Do what you can to lighten the days.
Bring some food, blankets or clothes.
It need not be heaps of loaves.
Offer the caregiver a break in the day,
She may be tired & too shy to say.
If medicines or checks have to be done,
Invent some games to make it fun.
And when it comes near to the end
Anyone so sick will need a friend.
Give a hug, a kiss and some love,
You’ll get strength and help from above.
These little people did not do wrong
They don’t deserve to suffer so long.
If we could all lend a willing hand,
We’ll bring light to our suffering land.
Teresa Denton
Community Health Nurse & HIV Trainer
Teresa’s collection of HIV poetry is available on Amazon
