its name
was Pain and Suffering
which took strange form
as a Pangolin
yet black as tar
and clutching tight
to my left arm
its sad, red eyes
small and round
watching mine
without a sound
and rows and rows
of fierce sharp fangs
which never once
tore at my skin
yet this creature
held on tight
as I moved left
and I moved right
still Pain and Suffering
could not remain
though hurtless
motionless
and featherlight
I found discomfort
in its sight
troubled and restless
to release its hold
free it from
its anguished life
but oh
the heartache
in those eyes
and strange the warmth
from its dark form
embracing mine
yet Pain and Suffering
could not stay
could not hang on
to me that way
so I summoned my husband
who arrived with his drill
placing it mercifully
on its ink black skull
the clinging creature
with sad, red eyes
knew what was next
yet not sure why
I moaned and moaned
as the dark blood flowed
gently from the sickening hole
in went another
at the creature’s side
then Pain and Suffering
quietly died
and I cried
and I cried
and I cried
and I cried
until my husband
touched my cheek
and with anxious repentance
I stirred awake
haunted with visions
in death’s strange wake
I searched for solace
searched for sleep
and if by chance
to once more dream
prayed the wretched figure
with the sad red eyes
would not take hold
of me again
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 (28) and Sophia (26) 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, "The Butter Diaries", which I completed this spring and published on Wordpress. I also spend a good deal of time indulging in my passion for mosaics - all of which you can view on my Instagram page @ acfrohna.
View all posts by Anne Celano Frohna
Dog-eared Stories by anne celano frohna 