December 1 is World AIDS Day, a global day of awareness about the pandemic, as well as a time for people to show their support for people living with HIV/AIDS and honor those who have died from the virus. In recognition of the day, we’ve curated this anthology of poems by contemporary poets about how they have been affected by, or directly afflicted with, HIV/AIDS. For more, browse poems about illness in the themes menu.

Find more resources, information, and more about World AIDS Day at the HIV/AIDS information site managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.