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By Scarlet Torch and Blade

Chapter 49: KIDDY OF FRANCE
By Anthony Euwer
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Poetry

About This Book

A varied poetry collection presents lyrical meditations on open landscapes, woodland life, and the forces of fire and weather. It is organized into thematic sections that range from expansive outdoor scenes to domestic moments, playful verse, a sequence devoted to individual tree species, and a group of poems reflecting travel and longing abroad. Imagery often centers on natural details—trees, animals, rivers, and mountain tops—while occasional narratives depict human labor, community, and small, ironic observations. Tone shifts between solemn, celebratory, and whimsical, and several poems combine illustration with short rhymes to evoke mood and place.

KIDDY OF FRANCE

Kiddy of France in your raggedy clothes Toddling along in your wooden sabots— Daddy’s old cap on his little Poilu— Now it’s all faded but once it was new— Kiddy of France with that laugh in your eyes, Tell me the secret that under it lies— Comment allez-vous today?
Kiddy—mon chérie, Je vous demande Why do you press so with that little hand? Why are you jogging along at my side? Measure for measure you stretch to my stride. Kiddy—mon chérie, now out with it, come, “Avez-vous, avez-vous—some chewing gum? Avez-vous candy?”—I thought so, go on, “Avez-vous chocolat”—yes, yes—and “bon-bon?” There now mon chérie, my little Poilu, Voilà: Your gum! And now then—que dites-vous? “Merci Monsieur”—ah you’re welcome, I’m sure A hundred times welcome, mon chérie: Bonjour!
Ballon, France, February, 1919.