Poems by
Ashley Johnson GETTING BACK TO ZERO Getting Back To Zero—what does that mean? Not to be judged by other people. HIV doesn’t have a face, but people look and judge as if it does. How do they know? How can they tell? Getting Back To Zero—what does that mean? When the deaths stop and the coffins are empty. And the side effects of this disease no longer fade us away. Getting Back To Zero—what does that mean? When prevention is the word and cases of new infections are dropping. Getting Back To Zero—what does that mean? When HIV no longer has a grip on our community. Getting Back To Zero. We’re not there yet…. WORKING THAT NIGHT LIFE As the sun goes down and the streets darken, dealers take their posts in the alleys and corners, selling the nickels & dimes of that hard white candy. They give you the first hit for free, have you hooked back for more. Before you know it, you’re broke with no money. You offer to do favors for a rock or two. Working that night life down the street where the night gets hot, the ladies of the night are the sirens of your money. She does what you want for the price you can’t beat. Through the window of your car you see her head bobble up and down. Your face speaks: it was worth the money. When her job is done, and her service is praised you pay her and drop her off where she say. Workin’ that night life, another day another dollar, makin’ that money, being up for days. Smoking and drinking having sex with whoever I please—the street is calling my name… it’s hard to stop. The competition is getting heavy the spot is getting hot. Tricks are hard to come by when their funds are low…. Working that night life when the streets are cold. When do you say, This street shit is getting old? Tired of looking behind my shoulder, fear of the police, tired of nights without sleep. Workin’ that night life was fun while it lasted but all it leads to is jail or a casket.
Situations15
17
