My Name Is...

I am invisible, yet you see me everywhere
I am grief and despair
I feed off ignorance and fear.
I am caution thrown to the wind
I have a beginning with no end.
I am anger, I am shame
I've spent fortunes
I've destroyed fame.
I like the old
I like the young
Even unborn babies
My work is never done.
I've been uptown
I've been downtown
I am your brother, sister
Co-worker and friend
They did not ask for me,
I let myself in.
I'm in your office
In every school
The local clinic,
That seedy bar playing pool
I make new friends every minute.
They can't wipe me out
This is war.
I don't care to whom you pray
I visit churches everyday.
I don't care if you're rich or poor
The color of your skin
Your ethnicity
Nothing matters to me.
I'm in your neighborhood
On your very street
I will be in your home
Part of your family
If you continue to ignore me
My name is HIV