raise that crucifix nice and high
plant it in your neighbor’s eye
hold that bible in both hands
smack with it your fellow man
twist each word to stoke your fears
of Muslims, Blacks, Liberals, Queers
live your life a real shit
a few short prayers and that is it.
forgiven for your evil thoughts
forgiven for your selfish wants
forgiven for the love you scorned
forgiven for the pain you’ve born
surround yourself with frightened sheep
you are who you are by the company you keep
say your prayers each day and night
your dark deeds still won’t find the light
by sitting in pews and mumbling prayers
searching for peace through all the thick layers
of wrongful acts and shallow words
of broken promises at each turn
sanctimonious and self-loathing
in your dark yet depthless world.
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 