by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 1942-Sept. 1945
They say that wisdom comes
With passing years
Brought on by grief
And many tears,
Perhaps a smile
Will come now and then
Or even a very healthy grin.
I think that wisdom is
Somewhat a myth
Established by
Some elderly know-it-all,
Whose importance needed
A good overhaul.
If we put all we know together
And sort out all that may be good
We may come up with
An answer to all.
Now, I don’t claim to be no sage,
What I know won’t fill a page
But over time,
Between my prose and rhyme,
I have gathered up a passel
Of learned stuff.
The things I learned in the Corps
Don’t do me no good no more
‘Cause I ain’t a fightin’ in the war
But since those days of yore
A tryin’ to get rich from poor
I have learned me lot of
Useful things.
Well, I learned to use a shovel
When I was a young devil
Back there in the CCC.
And then I went to school,
Studied like a fool
And came out with a degree.
Since that time I’ve worked
And struggled,
Got a house that ain’t no hovel
And raised a couple of kids.
Got a wife that’s cute and pretty
And as I finish up this ditty
I say luck is more likely
Than wisdom.
* * *
The author: Robert Cook served with Regimental Weapons Co. (2d-2d) from 1942-44, at Tarawa
& Guadalcanal during a 33-month overseas tour.
Robert's latest
book: Poems By A Marine
They Say
Click here to
read a review of Robert's novel.
