This is all I have to offer you.............

This past Saturday I had the privilege of meeting a great poet and writer, Mr. Jimmy Santiago-Baca. During our time together Mr. Baca asked us to use his poem "I'm offering this poem ...." as a model to write our own version...........here is my attempt.

This is all I have to offer you..........

This is all I have to offer you, my strength
Wrap yourself in it when you feel the nausea of disease creep in

Wear it like armor
When your body wages war against the drugs

Stand firm on it
When your bald reflection says you are weak

Hold on to it
When the searing pain of endless needles pierce your skin

Hope for it
When the world says you will be a statistic

My strength is all I have to offer you
As I lie here watching you fight...................