I wrote my first two poems at age 15, and with much encouragement from my sophomore English teacher, as well as my foster parents, I kept writing. In my twenties, I discovered painting and chose watercolors, or they chose me.

Poetry is many things to me; a journal, a healer, and a way for me to reconnect with spirit. It is a privilege to be able to share my poetry with others.

My heartfelt gratitude goes out to the Homeless Chaplaincy for all their help and support. Many blessings to you.

Hope these words bring you light.
Enjoy~~

Anna Ione

Miracle

Our Conversations

It's simple.
Just go outside to the trees.
Lie down,
and look up.
Breathe slowly, gently.
Forget about it.
Whatever it is.
Close your eyes.
Rest for awhile.
Now open them.
Look.
What is this?
What's happening?
This life!
This sky!
These colors!
These smells!
This beauty!
It's a miracle.

You say the sky is deep parish blue.
This is the best time to go out walking!
At dusk, when the light is so ethereal
and mysterious.
Can you believe its beauty?
Your eyes are so beautiful,
the mild, clear blue of a hot summer
sky.

We've met each other on the back
streets of some small town.
When we've said everything we have
to say to each other, we'll go our
separate ways.

But where does the conversation end?
And where did it begin?
Will it continue in some other place
and in some other time?

For now, you keep telling me,
I could do a little better, make more
money, make myself comfortable.
And I keep telling you,
it's not comfort
that I'm seeking

I am not a homeless wanderer.
I am a homefilled wanderer.
For years I painted landscapes,
perfecting a style of
angelic dreams
To remember.
To awaken.
Now I want to live in those paintings.

After all, shouldn't living itself be our greatest art?
It is.
It is the only art I desire to master now.
I've let go of all that ambitious
other stuff.
Come along with me...
I'm inviting you to step into my
creations and play.

My destiny must be these streets,
to dwell among the lowest of the low,
the poorest of the poor.
The ones who hang on the fringes
unable to keep up with the demands
of society.
Oppressed by many forces, over many
years, and ending up here,
at the free dining hall.
Standing in lines and standing
on the sidewalks,
begging for a few dollars,
beyond shame and beyond pride.
It must be my destiny to serve them.
To do whatever it takes to get
through one more day.
To try to find the beauty and believe
that love can make life worth living
even in the worst of times.
And so, I go forward with hope,
hope not for one certain outcome.
Just hope,
that love will not fail,
that peace and compassion
will prevail.

The Difference

Out on the path today,
bright happy blue flowers
were drinking up the
juice of the sun.
I am very young still.
I spend the day playing outside.

Because someone loved me.
Because someone took the time to listen.
Because someone cared, truly cared,
about me.
About my well being.
I'll tell you,
it has made
all the difference.

We wonder where did that feeling disappear to?

So we just sit on this old sofa,
and sometimes we laugh.
Or play cards.
Or watch a movie.
Or drink some coffee.
Or stare out the window.
But then the silence becomes
unbearable.

Click Here to read selections from Anna's second book Intense and Joyful Blue.

All poetry and artwork
is copyrighted by the author.

Listen to Kurt's musical arrangements
of Anna's poems here.