I came across this one on the Robert W. Service web page. I agree- I love Ernie Pyle's work.

pam

Ernie Pyle
-Robert W. service

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 frame, in soul how you
Were pure and fine!
I'm proud that once when we were plastered
You called me 'bastard.'

Ernei Pile was also a WWII correspondent. A biography of his was in my parent's bookshelves. Sadly, at the time I was not into biography; did not know he.. was a poet as well...

There is some info here:

[history.acusd.edu]

and samples of his work here:


[www.journalism.indiana.edu]


Les

Yolk's a joke - surely it should read yoke?

Oddly, it appears on all the pages I saw on the net, including [www.robertwservice.com]

Still, mebbe Service figured all the common folk were yeggs.

I think I'd rather bear life's yolk than life's white - easier to handle and more nutritious!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/19/2006 11:19AM by marian2.

Ernie Pyle is one of the few men I truly wish I could have met.

Paddy

"My muse is a jealous whore."