When i was little, (7yrs old) i was molested by a relative who was studying to be a priest. He became a priest and we never talked about what happened and what he did to me. But we both know. We were both hunted by the past. Now, he just recently passed away with illness very frequently associated as an opportunistic infection caused by HIV. He must have been afraid and ashamed to get tested so he died. This is a poem i wrote for him. may he rest in peace.

I grieve,
I sub,
I cry,
I stop,
I smile.

You left,
You live,
You love,
You care,
You die.

Our life is but a gift from God on high,
Our loss may taste bitter as acrid bile.
Dear friend, sleep well, for thy offense is gone.
Forgive, forget, the fault of man.

Your act has given me this lovely life,
Thy gift of love I will keep close and safe.
So friend, take care, your legacies remain.
Repent, resent, feel not again.

Good bye my friend, so long, your soul rejoice,
May angels welcome you to hear God’s voice.
Our John, a son, a loving priest so dear.
Rest now, rest well, don’t shed a tear.