still life

in the mid-day hush

unmeasured steps sound sharp

against the old stone walls

down wall-to-wall streets

empty

quieted

with the afternoon’s retreat

such solace here

in the daily lull

in the whispering breeze

in the shutters closed

and the silence within

haunting the village

while most in repose

knocks and creaks

sole company sought

midst aromas entwined

with unquiet thoughts

smoky

savory

sweet

give comfort when the mind is weak

none but a pensive cat upon a wall

will fix its eyes upon the passing

until a corner turned

intruders in this still life

begin fading

Unknown's avatar

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.