Pic Courtesy
Update : Vignesh has done a tamil translation of this poem here.
The needle pricks him once.
The virus is injected into his blood stream once.
The syndrome spreads once.
And the disease eventually kills once.
But you alienate him,
you upset him every second.
You ignore him,
you hurt him every minute.
You hate him,
you kill him every day.
Now tell me, who is deadlier? YOU or the HIV?
Now tell me, who is a stigma? YOU or HE?
I have never come face to face with a HIV positive individual. Nor am I sure how I am gonna react when I meet up with one. But what I know for sure is that I should treat him with compassion and see him as no different from the rest. I "think" am in no position to spead this disease. The least I can do is spread the message.
Somu,
ReplyDeletevery sensible post on a delicate subject...why don't join for the walk on 3rd Dec'05
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI've met a little girl who is tested positive for HIV. Really touching experience. Compassion is what they need, not sympathy!
ReplyDeletea befitting post on world AIDS day... :-)
ReplyDeleteThala...
ReplyDeleteapdiyae "Saattaiyala" adikkara madhiri irukku...
How true...
Hmm... so far i have not come across such a person... i dont know how i will react if that happens... makes me to think really...
Idhae madhiri... enakku puriyara madhiri ezhudhunga boss...
an apt message for the day
ReplyDelete@Sunil
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot ! I thought about the walk too... But for reasons I could not volunteer for it :o(
@Ganga
Thanks a lot! True that one might probably not reveal such informations... I was just wondering how I am gonna be when I meet up with one. And yeah it's always sad to hear such news, esp when u have been knowing someone.
@Ramya
Rightly said... Sympathies only make things worse
@Karthik
Thanks a lot pal !
@Jaggy
Always reader's choice ! Will keep in mind when I right my next poem. Ok va ?
@Kris,Sophie
Thanks to you too
Somu,
ReplyDeleteReally strong words and impressed with it. With ur permission( expected) , i've literally translated and posted your kavithai in my Tamil Blog.
Sorry if there is anything wrong and if i spoils ur kavithai with my tamil translation...
--Vignesh
@Vignesh
ReplyDeleteThey say imitation is the best form of flattery... For a blogger like me, translation beats imitation. Am flattered by your words. And i really appreciate your asking. I read the tamil version of it and its super cool... Thanks for taking it to a wider audience.
First time here ? Thanks for dropping by.
Btw, I once translated "Ovvoru pookalumey" song in English... I never asked Pa Vijay for permission... Hope I wudn't get into any trouble :o)
Somu I am sure I commented here earlier. En comment enna achu? :((
ReplyDelete@Uma
ReplyDeleteSorry... Am not sure... Coz if there had been a comment, I wud have received a mail. I cross checked. There was none. Might be the submit thing was not done right... Anyways, I have your comment now... So, :o)))
Hi Somu,
ReplyDeleteTamil Version of this poem written by Vignesh has been published in today's Dinamalar. Check it out (On page 2, Chennai Edition). Eventhough UR name has been attributed to as the original source, UR URL is not mentioned. Only Vignesh's is mentioned. Anyways, this itself is a great recognition for ur poetic skills. I want U to carry this further. Hope u will reconsider the "idea" to quit Blogging.
Somu.
ReplyDeleteA good poem and an apt message!