Laura Zucca-Scott’s most recent poem to appear here was The Fabric of Dreams (May 2015).
Just a Walk–July 1943
By Laura Zucca-Scott
A walk under an umbrella of oak trees
The breeze cooling down the heat of a summer day
Father and son talking about pirates and treasure islands
The moss on the tree can help you find your way
But always look for the North Star
This is my gift to you
One day you will guide your children
And you will find treasures in your adventures
Memories eternal as stars
Sweet and bitter as a goodbye
When the train leaves tomorrow
I will hug you tight
War hurts
I will be looking for the North Star
I just wanted to add here a little background about this poem that Laura shared with me. This poem is a memory that Laura’s Father has of the last time he saw his Father, Laura’s Grandfather, alive. Laura’s Grandfather was following orders at the end of WWII to return home to Italy, but his troop was captured by the Germans before they made it home. Her Grandfather gave up his freedom, so the others could return home. Someone had to be punished, and that someone was Laura’s Grandfather who was the commanding officer of the troop. He was sent to a prisoner camp where he died. Laura’s father never seen his father again after that last visit. Laura captures her father’s memory so well in this poem. It is a happy memory, but also a painful one.
This poem gives a family hope. I hope the north star guides him home.