When I struggled through high school I fantasized
about residing in a painted lady mansion.
I was tired of living in a brick bungalow,
wanted a life that sparkled outside the box.
Now I am sixty-six years old, live in an apartment.
My life is dark wood, old brick, and peeling paint.
I still marvel over the stained glass windows,
the incomprehensible architectural angles
as I drive down Riverside Drive
past spectacular Riverside mansions,
but I when I look at the windows,
I don’t see my life reflected back at me.
Frank C. Modica is a retired teacher who taught children with special needs for over 34 years. Frank’s writing is animated by his experiences living in urban and university communities.