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Read more poems by Robert Service: Robert Service Poems at Poetry X.

I wish I had a simple style
          In writing verse,
As in his prose had Ernie Pyle,
          So true and terse;
Springing so forthright from the heart
          With guileless art.

I wish I could put back a dram
          As Ernie could;
I wish that I could cuss and damn
          As soldier should;
And fain with every verse would I
          Ernie outvie.

Alas! I cannot claim his high
          Humanity;
Nor emulate his pungent, dry
          Profanity;
Nor share his love of common folk
          Who bear life's yolk.

Oh Ernie, who on earth I knew
          In war and wine,
Though frail of fame, in soul how you
          Were pure and fine!
I'm proud that once when we were plastered
          You called me 'bastard.'

Added: 29 Jun 2002 | Last Read: 4 Sep 2026 3:32 AM | Viewed: 4904 times

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