Text only  Print this page | E-mail this page| Add to favourites|Suggest similar pages
British Council LearnEnglish Central British Council LearnEnglish Central
learnenglish central poems, image copyright by Paul Millard
this theme
poems archive
See previous poems from our archive
e-newsletter
Sign up for our newsletter and receive updates about what's happening on this site.
learn english
Learn English in your country, in the UK or take an exam
aids poems

Here are three poems sent in by our readers.

Double-click on any word and see its definition from Cambridge Dictionaries Online.

Try some writing yourself.

AIDS

How many people must die
How much money should be spent
How much of our efforts
Just tell me how much
How much before you even take notice

They told you before and they told you the truth
AIDS is there and it kills severely
So how much must be said about it
How much before you can practice:-
A - abstain
B - be faithful to one partner
C - condoms save lives
D - death equals unprotected sex

And yes they say AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Today they are saying Africa Is Dying Slowly
But now I am saying to you that Africa Is Doing Strong

Live and let live
The people of the world

Lazarus Moeng

top

Truth

I woke up this morning and saw a scared face.
I wanted to hold the entire human race.

But I couldn’t.

I hadn’t yet realized, it was me who was broken.
I thought it was all a lie and some vicious joke.

But it wasn't.

The face in the mirror seems darker and sad.
Why am I a monster? Why am I bad?

But I’m not.

The sun shines a little bit brighter.
The sky is a little bit bluer.
The wind is a bit more crisp.
And my life a bit more true.

But is it?

People live long.
I’ll sing my song.
My chorus not done
My refrain not the last one.

But I will.

So many thoughts to think.
So many thoughts to sink.
So much to do -
And not knowing if there is enough time.

But there is.

Ryan Boell

top

AIDS

What is AIDS?
I really don't know
each day I find myself with more questions to be answered
But where do I turn for the right one?
I pray please don't knock next at my door,
For when I hear the knock I will not answer
BUT IT HAS A KEY, THE MASTER KEY
the one to open all doors.

Tashina Latouche

Your turn

Write your own poem about illness and send it to us.

top

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland)
Our privacy and copyright statements.
Our Freedom of Information Publications Scheme. Double-click for pop-up dictionary.
 Positive About Disabled People Download Browsealoud