Necessity

During WWII my dad used to bring us bread
To the farm, far from bombs over our head
Our town was under constant aerial attack
We had fled it by night, each carrying a sack
Everywhere the dead and wounded were lying
We had seen many friends and neighbors dying.
One day we were scared, we saw dad from afar
Walking with a bag full of bread and with a jar
I asked, “Dad, how did you walk the miles so fast?”
Tired, exhausted, from aerial and artillery blast
He answered, “My son, hunger and fear
Teach us to walk and to run for those dear.”
Since, I understood that necessity is our guide
As it teaches us which way to decide
The best decisions I made until now
Were those where necessity showed me how.

Copyright 2010 Emile Tubiana