by Cpl. Robert L. Cook

Jan. 1942-Sept. 1945

I hope that our Marines today

Have better things to do

Than sit around the barracks

And shine a shoe or two.

I could not count

The many hours

I've spent doing this

Or the many gallons

Of good old-fashioned spit.

But when I finished

With the task

And the shine was

Comin' through,

You can bet

I felt my best,

My pride was full

And true.

                   *     *     *

The author: Robert Cook served with

Reg. Weapons Co.(2d-2d) from 1942-44,

at Guadalcanal and Tarawa, during a

33-month overseas tour.

>>>  Poetry Page

>>>  Memoir Page

Spit Shine