“We … will not endure these waves of dying friends, without a cry.” That is just one line from a poem called “Cry ” written by Michael Lynch, a poet and AIDS activist. Michael set up the first community based AIDS Group in Toronto (ACT).

Today while in Toronto, I stopped by Cawthra Park on Church Street. The memorial was born in the mind of Michael Lynch. Prior to 1993, temporary versions were set up on Pride Day. The present day Memorial is the result of a design competition in 1990, with the
Memorial being opened in 1993. It is a series of concrete pillars carrying stainless steel plaques engraved with the names and dates of the deceased. Among the more than 2700 names are those of Michael Lynch himself as well as Alex Wilson, who designed the landscaping around the memorial.

Set aside a meandering pathway with shrubbery the Memorial plaques are lit at night from below each pillar.

Today, I stopped and read the poem written by Michael Lynch and read the names & dates of those who died from AIDS. Men. Woman.Teenagers. I recall when AIDS was first given the name. People called it the “gay disease” or terms much worse. I still hear some people say that. I wish they could go to Cawthra Park and read the names and dates. I wonder if that would change their minds. Some, not all most likely.

AIDS is not a gay disease. It has not gone away. Even with medication. It is still there and it can still kill. Having medications to keep it at bay or to slow the progress is not an excuse to think that it is gone. Nor is it an excuse to be less careful.

As I walked from the first pillar to the final one and back, I noticed ages of some. Seventeen…Eighteen…Nineteen. I know people that age think they are invincible. That is one reason we need to keep talking about it. I also noticed dates of those who dies in the
80′s and 90′s and up to present day. People still missed them. Perched behind so many of the plaques were pink carnations, red roses, daisies, birthday cards and small handwritten notes. They all had one thing in common. Regardless, they all meant something to someone. They still do. We all do.

“We … will not endure these waves of dying friends, without a cry.” Michael Lynch wrote those words. I think he meant that we will not see our friends and loved ones
dying of AIDS without tears or crying out loud.” Help find an end to AIDS ”

Submitted By: Joe Lethbridge

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