(Dedicated to the memory of John Peterman, and to the future of  people with AIDS and ARC.)  He's big and he's proud  He's abrasive and loud  He can roar like a lion or be meek as a lamb  God knows he's courageous  And sometimes outrageous  He inspires me to be all that I can  But I'll never forget  The last time we met  How my heart stopped at the story he told  He said "Life can be hard  When it deals you a card  That you never expected to hold."  But then he said "It's not the end  I rely on my friends  For all the affection and love they provide  And maybe with hugs  And without booze and drugs  There is still a good chance that I may survive."  And maybe he will  'Cause he's active still  He goes to the marches and all the parades  He's not giving in  He's determined to win  He's a person who's living with AIDS  Living with love, not living in fear  Embracing the light when shadows appear  It's a place to begin, it's a good way to start  Releasing the power we hold in our hearts  The loss of our lovers,  Our sisters and brothers  Is a wound that cuts deep through our history of pride  And one way to heal  All the pain that we feel  Is to stand by the living and remain unified  So if you've got a friend  Whose condition is grim  Don't go burying him or drawing the shades  Surrender your doubt  By reaching out  To a person who's living with AIDS  Living with love, not living in fear  Healing with hope and drawing them near  It's a place to begin, it's a step we can take  Empowering people whose lives are at stake  Living with love, not living in fear  Embracing the light when shadows appear  It's a place to begin, it's a good way to start  Releasing the power we hold in our hearts