One of two collections of poetry by poet, novelist, and educator Melvin Dixon, whose worked chronicled the lives of black gay men. He died of HIV-related illnesses in 1992.

Heartbeats

Work out. Ten laps.
> Steam room. Dress warm.
> Eat right. Rest well.
> Sore throat. Long flu.
> Test blood. Count cells.
> Dress warm. Eat well.
> Night sweats. Dry cough.
> Get mad. Fight back.
> Don't cry. Take charge.
> Call home. Talk slow.
> Arms wide. Nodes hard.
> Mouth wide. Drink this.
> No air. Breathe in.
> Black out. White rooms.
> No work. Eat right.
> Breathe in. Breathe out.
> Thin blood. Sore lungs.
> Six months? Three weeks?
> Today? Tonight?
> Sweet heart. Don't stop.
Breathe in. Breathe out.