Feb. 2, 1945
Our Day Pistoia
by Jack A. Drew
We wake at six thirty,
At the song of the bong.
We can’t see the large clock,
And we hope we are wrong.
‘Bout five for dressing
though sleep in our eyes.
We continue our wrestling,
because of dark skies.
After taking our café,
there’s a rush for the door.,
We find a blanket of snow,
which is now our new floor.
A great pace is set,
for our little walk.
Some heavy breathing
With the absence of talk.
After reaching the camp.
We’re just at the post.
for we haste for more coffee,
and maybe some toast.
Then comes the office,
We’ve had our play.
We work around there
Until it’s mid-day.
It’s time for the news!
We push chairs around.
And except for the radio,
there isn’t a sound.
We gther close by,
So we can hear the news,
To hear of our progress,
and where the Germans did lose.
It is time now for “chow,”
But wasn’t hungry you all,
for appetites were small,
and the rations were “C.”
Now back to the office,
For the rest of the day.
We pack up at five,
And start on our way.
Back to our home-,
and I know this sounds sappy.
But we follow this schedule,
And it keeps us happy.
This poem was contributed by Deb Drew Brown, Lansing area artist and daughter of World War II veteran Jack A. Drew. Drew-Brown created a collage (see above) of her father’s WWII memorabilia for an ArtPrize submission in 2014. See more details here. “Pistoia” which appears in the poem’s title is a city in the Tuscany area of Italy where Jack Drew was stationed at the time of the writing. The Historical Society of Greater Lansing is recognizing veterans such as Drew in their “Lansing Goes to War” exhibit in the atrium of Lansing City Hall. Read more details on the exhibit here. The original of the collage is being displayed at area businesses which you can follow on Brown’s website.
This is very touching and insightful. Thanks Deb for sharing with us. Your father was obviously a remarkable man.