Robert's latest
book: Poems By A Marine
by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 1942-Sept. 1945
Once I led a fine platoon
Of dedicated men,
I led them thru
Most of Hell
And led them out again.
And then they sent
Me home from war
To face the world
Once more.
And now I have other strife,
Trailing after my lovely wife,
Who is the savior of my life
And leads me like I led.
As I guide the rugged cart,
I charge the produce aisle!
I run a skirmish line of sorts
Along the place that
Sells the tarts.
And then I run a search and seize
Into the aisle of coffee and teas,
Before I snipe at cleaning gear
Somewhere over at the rear,
Within the range of bottled beer.
My mission is now very clear:
It’s can goods of most every kind,
It almost drives me from my mind
That there are so many kinds
Of stuff that await me there.
I am overwhelmed with fear
That I will miss the chosen can
That I have been dispatched
To search and recover.
When the battle is secured
And I am left to pay,
I am happy to retreat
Until another day.
I find the cost is so dear
And as I shed a silent tear,
I am grateful I can bear the cost.
I join with others of my breed
Who have left the Corps behind
And sweat in the field of life
For the good of kids and wife.
Bestowing on this nation
The strength that comes from
Battlefields,
Forged from wills of steel
The was the
Greatest Generation.
* * *
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.
Here and Now
Click here to
read a review of Robert's novel.
