by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 42~Sept. 45
I look down upon this man
As by his bier
I stand.
I fought beside him
In a war
So very long ago,
He was just a ordinary
GI Joe.
We didn't win no
Hero stars,
As you can plainly see.
It was tough enuf
To get your stripes,
If that was to be.
They threw us out
When it was done,
We came back home
Where it all begun,
And took up being
Citizens,
Husbands and fathers —
Just working men!
We kept in touch,
He and I,
We did not let
The time go by
Without a note
To just say "Hi."
He knew my kids
And I knew his,
We thought that
They were a whiz.
He never failed to
Send a note
With each Xmas card
He wrote
To let me know
That all was well.
When Evie called,
That's his wife,
Her tearful voice
Spoke soft
And quiet,
To let me know
He was no more.
They found him lying
On the floor
Beside his favorite chair.
They had no idea
How long he'd been there.
I made my way
To where he lay
In state
Of our own doing.
So here I stand
Beside this man
Who stood with me
In a faroff land
And held the enemy
At bay
'Til all was safe,
So they say.
We pass him on to you,
Oh Lord,
As we give him his due.
Let the rifles fire
Their volleys,
Let the bugler
Sound his taps.
Let the flag be folded,
Let the drummer
Give a rap.
Another Marine
Comes your way,
To you we are
Beholdin'.
* * *
About the author: Robert Cook served with Reg. Weapons Co.(2d-2d) from 1942~44, at Guadalcanal
and Tarawa, during a 33-month overseas tour.
