I have placed this under the Category of "Horror". Why? because this is truly a horror story of massive proportions.
55% of Nigeria's population will be dead by 2009. 25% of Uganda, 49% of Tanzania, and an unknown number in South Africa.
Spread from border Town Brothels, where Poverety stricken women compete for a megre living to feed their families, their clients are lorry Drivers, who stop for Fuel, Food and a break from the long lonely hours on the road.
Because of the vastness of the country, no one will ever know how many will die, already whole villages have been wiped out.
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Africa’s Shame
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She lies upon the earthen floor.
Her small frail body racked with pain.
Beneath her head a pillow of straw
Around her loved ones wait in vain.

She’s just a girl of twenty two
Though to see her now you wouldn’t know
That those blue eyes, sunken now
Would flash and make the young men glow.

Her husband had to go away
To work to feed his family dear
He drove a truck for little pay.
Along unsealed highways full of fear.

A Demon stalked those rutted roads.
Stalking those who are unprepared.
In Border towns where they check the loads.
None who stray will he spare.

The Demon found him one dark night,
Resting deep within his soul
He carried it home to his pretty wife.
Slowly the Demon their lives it stole.

A tear ran down her withered cheek.
Remembered the agony of how he died.
She gave him the forgiveness he did seek.
Forgave the way he’d cheated and lied.

The Demon possessed all who would seek.
Forbidden fruit from life’s pure tree
Possessed the wild and took the weak
‘Twas too late before they could see.

She smiled as she saw her children there.
She told them she loved them, not to weep.
Yet she knew the Demon did not care.
In a year they’ll join her in her sleep.

Two million souls the Demon now owns
Many victims don’t know it’s name.
It waxes strong and It’s spread and grown.
HIV, is Africa’s Shame.

Robin A Spicer © 2003-23-11