by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 42~Sept. 45
When I arise at dawn to pee,
Thru my window I can see
Guys are leaving
For their place of work.
As I crawl back
Into the sack
And lie there
On my back,
I think of when
I did the same thing.
That is when I feel
The fortune
Of my life.
I spent my time
In hell,
Fighting wars
And working
As well
At jobs I didn't care
A damn for.
When I laid down the hoe,
Said I would work no mo'e,
I was as bored as one can be.
I was not one to sit,
Always had to do a bit
As I was not the
Loafing kind.
So I moseyed round the place
Doing things
To save face,
Like I was important
To it all.
But then I settled down,
Figured I would be around
For at least a hundred years
Or more.
So, I take it easy now
Since I'm not behind the plow,
I'll just goof off now,
Like the good Marine
I used to be!
* * *
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.
