February 7th Poem Background

February 7th Poem Background

In this clip, Matias gives background on the poem “February 7, 1986 - 2:45 p.m.,” in which his doctor tests him for AIDS without permission and tells him he has a year left to live.

David Matias Papers

Elizabeth Huth Coates Library Special Collections, Trinity University

Materials in this collection are the intellectual property of Coates Library and Trinity University. Please contact the library for permission to reproduce or reuse these materials.

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You then read the poem about how I got diagnosed. From that actual encounter with that doctor, I had to go to my 25th birthday party, with my family who didn't even know I was gay, much less ready for the news that I had been infected. The dealings with the doctor were, to this day I would argue, pretty unethical, with how he treated me and how he dismissed me and how he said I had about a year to live. That's why I dated the poem February 1986, February, 7th 1986, and even put the time, 'cause that's what time the appointment was: 2:45 p.m.

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