by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 1942-Sept. 1945
Too late to climb Mt. Everest,
To take tall ships to sea
Or trek a desert hot and wide
Or a young Marine to be.
Too late to do Paris
In tux and tails and tie,
Too late to bet a thousand
And let the winnings ride.
Too late to fly above the clouds
In a swift and silver plane,
To dive beneath the ocean
And claim a ship’s remains.
Too late to race in Indy
And get the checkered flag,
To late to attend the Preakness
And stand with a winning nag.
To late to command my troops
And take a stalwart stand
To rout the hated enemy,
Drive him from the land.
All these things I dreamed of
When I was young at heart
But now my time has fleeted,
I’ve no time to start.
The days that are ahead of me
Grow smaller by the sun,
I shall not give me up
Until my race is done.
* * *
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.
