This poem is taken from PN Review 30, Volume 9 Number 4, March - April 1983.
Notes from a War Diary H. J. B. 1914-191 Madelon
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,
...
The page you have requested is restricted to subscribers only. Please enter your username and password and click on 'Continue'.
If you have forgotten your username and password, please enter the email address you used when you joined. Your login details will then be emailed to the address specified.
If you are not a subscriber and would like to enjoy the 285 issues containing over 11,500 poems, articles, reports, interviews and reviews, why not subscribe to the website today?
If you have forgotten your username and password, please enter the email address you used when you joined. Your login details will then be emailed to the address specified.
If you are not a subscriber and would like to enjoy the 285 issues containing over 11,500 poems, articles, reports, interviews and reviews, why not subscribe to the website today?