A Publication of the Coalition on Homelessness
I, Aaone Siapai Enosa, am a recovering alcoholic and addict at Crestwood Champion Healing Center. I’ve been here since July 8th, 2021. My program has 3 phases. First is The Willows which is acute care, 2nd is Cypress which is low level care, and The Oaks which is independent living. I am now in the Oaks. I love it here. I found my passion and discovered my gift of writing poems. I never thought I’d like writing before.
As I look out the window sill here,
I see birds circling high above the ground.
Free, floating as high as he wants,
To be ever so gently,
Free, free, free.
Now if I could trade places with that bird that soars,
Never to be trapped inside these doors,
I’d fly high and free to unknown places,
Above treetops and snow-capped places,
by Lawrence Hollins
When you and I, are far apart.
Can sorrow break, my lonely heart.
I really love you, yes I do!
Sleep is sweet, when I’m dreaming of you.
All you are, is a blooming rose.
Night is here, so I must close.
With the first words, in each line.
You will find, a question of mine.
Again I say, I love you.
? … READ MORE
Do You Remember?
Do you remember when I first held you?
Do you remember me crying too?
Do you remember you taking your first step?
Do you remember the scrapbook I kept?
Do you remember your first blankie?
Do you remember your first birthday party?
Do you remember me taking you to Disneyland?
Do you remember the beach and the sand?
what will they say about me when i’m gone?
will i be a peaceful innocent? wrong place wrong time? victim of circumstance?
or a casualty in the culture war who tempted death with his extreme views and political
agitation?
will i have gotten what i deserved, at a stranger’s hands? at the end of the pole on the hood of a car at knifepoint with a bullet in my back
consider this a will.
THE WAY IT IS
J.W. told me tonight
that Mitch the Chipewa
died two nights ago.
“Over-exposure and drink.
39 years old.” “And he had
a bad ticker,” said Gyzmo’s
friend, coming into the Bar
mainly to whisper some stash
of a deal into J.W.’s ear.
The Tenderloin Times says
108 or 109 died homeless
this year, but we know many
more simply could no longer
bear the excellent San Francisco
food fare.
