down in the lean-to,
swatting at flies.
annoying little fuckers,
always at my horses’ eyes.
but that’s flies.
in nothing but shit
they feed and they breed.
pesky and pitiless
and bulging with greed.
never enough
is just one pile of shit,
of biting at ankles
and doing their bit.
they eat at the skin
of the gentle and strong,
who stand there and stomp
and never do harm.
but that’s flies.
appearing in swarms.
one purpose in mind:
feed and breed
off the peaceful and kind.
make wounds fester.
make eyes ooze.
plant eggs in more shit
til the air is abuzz.
such nasty little insects
i relish in killing,
and sending them on
to find light – for those willing.
but my hope is not great
for the pests just keep coming
with their selfish, rotting deeds
and their ceaseless biting and buzzing.
but that’s flies.
so the horses will stomp.
the pests will keep biting.
and i’ll do my best to protect
and keep fighting,
those nasty
fucking
flies.
Author: Anne Celano Frohna
I have been writing for as long as I could hold a pencil in hand and would not feel complete without it.
And I actually made a meager living at it (and as an editor) for 25 years.
I worked for newspapers and magazines, in graphic arts and advertising, and wrote several local history books.
But I have also taught English in Japan, been a Nanny/family chef in Italy, worked in and for museums, was an Airbnb Superhost for four years, as well as an Etsy shop owner, where I sold vintage items I found over the years at thrift stores and yard sales.
After moving to Arizona with my family in 2010, I completed a series of different writing projects, including two books of creative non-fiction:
Just West of the Midwest: a comedy (Based on journals I kept during my two years as an English teacher in rural Japan.)
Within Close Range: short stories of an American Childhood (Short stories and poems about growing up as the middle of five children in suburban Chicago.)
But in the past few years, I have found my voice in poetry.
I am a mother of two wonderful girls, Eva (26) and Sophia (24) and wife to one wonderful husband, Kurt.
In 2023, with our girls grown and off on their own, my husband and I packed up our things and moved to the tip of Italy’s heel, to the Salento region, where I continue to work on my poetry, as well as a new fiction project, and indulge in my passion for mosaics - all of which you can view on my Instagram page @ acfrohna.
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Dog-eared Stories by anne celano frohna 