Frank Modica's beautifully crafted poems remind us of our own ancestors, their immigration stories and the hardships they endured, showing how the family evolves and progresses to become ever more American and at the same time, diverse. Following Modica's story-poems of both life's joys and surprise tragedies make us smile, then weep. They are both personal and universal - indeed, our stories are and make us who we are today. Reading Modica's poems cleanses our souls. I recommend this book unreservedly.