Poetry: Pane della Vita

Bread from my childhood
the smell takes me back
la panetteria
the bakery next to
the elementary school
the scent wafted through the air
into the courtyard
and into the classrooms
with dreams of
panini and rolls
cakes and sweets of all kinds.
A handful of lira
could get you a panettone
during Christmastime.
Hazelnut spreads
jams and jellies
baked fresh daily.
I miss those innocent days
when you had good bread
to fill your stomach.