In the shadows is where you’ll find me
bind me
remind me
of who I am
in the darkness is where you’ll hear me
fear me
wear me
like a heavy cloak of black
all connected
never protected
from the errors I have made
alone and quiet
tears won’t hide it
but I’ll cry them anyway
in a life of always trying
always judging my own ways
I see the shadows lengthen
while my strength they take away
but in between the darkness
I seek light and silhouettes
of what I’ve been
and where to go
outlined by past regrets
ever changing
ever raging
ever set within my mind
always seeking
always dreaming
always trying to be kind
the shadows cast a figure
I don’t like to recognize
when the figure
dim and brooding
casts its dark upon my eyes
I try to keep them moving
toward the light found up ahead
stretching forward
looking awkward
hoping truth lies there instead
and when the light begins to fade
and shadows disappear
I hide within the black of night
I languish in the fear
of one day looking out
to watch my shadow disappear
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 