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PN Review 275
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This poem is taken from PN Review 36, Volume 10 Number 4, March - April 1984.

Medelon Peter Scupham

This is the song the poilus sing,
  Madelon! Madelon! Madelon!
'Et chacun lui raconte une histoire,
  Une histoire à sa façon.'

A captured goat in the Canteen Car,
  Driven by 'Darky' Robinson,
Magpies, poppies and marguerites,
  Crosses are wreathed among the corn.

'Glorious weather all the time',
  (Shelling of Ablois St Martin,)
To a walnut tree, by the Villa des Fleurs,
  Faux-Fresnay, Vaux, Courcemain.

He's never seen two prettier girls,
  With manners to match, pink dresses on,
Little Monique, Jacqueline,
  Mme Pinard - or is it Pinant?
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