Lines Written on a River Bank by Frank C Modica

On the muddy green Illinois River my mind  

sinks down while a water bottle bobs up.

My anxious heart faces frothy waters,

Twisty and  polluted, not fit for fish or frogs.

Forage cap on head, sunscreen on arms.

I’m ready to face an uncertain future,

but without a name tag on my shirt

will anybody know who I am?

Frank C Modica is a retired public school special education teacher who taught special education for 34 years. Since his retirement he volunteers with several arts and social service organizations in his community. He writes poetry, short stories, and creative non-fiction. His work is forthcoming or has appeared in Adelaide Literary Magazine, Spank The Carp, Heyday Magazine, The Tishman Review, and FewerThan500. Follow him on Twitter at @fcmodica53