by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 1942~Sept. 1945
I heard the bugles
Sound today,
Their mournful music
They did play.
I stood beside the
Site of graves
And stood at full
Attention.
The stones stood out
In bold relief,
The lines were
Long,
They stood for grief.
No eye was dry
No voice was
Still,
The air was warm
Yet it was chill.
We who were missed
By shot and shell
Still question why
And cannot tell
The reason why
We stand here now
Except to honor
Those who fell.
Let not our minds
Forget these days
For they grow fewer
As we grey
And time will bless
Us everyone
By adding us
To the final sum.
* * *
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.
read a review of
Robert's novel.
