The Ballad of Miss Dutton

THE BALLAD OF MISS DUTTON Little Miss Dutton, Bright as a button Sits with hands in her lap just so Neat and petite, Friendly and sweet, With little girls all in a row Quiet and demure, Polite and pure She teaches girls how to behave Not like the rough boys Scuffing shoes, making noise, Shooting guns, the things little boys crave But little Miss Dutton Bright as a button Has a secret, her own rough boy Though with her he is gentle He's a force regimental Has a gun and it's not just a toy They'll live life in clover When this trouble's all over But meanwhile they'll make the best Who can say what's to be Before the world is made free 'til then hope that their lives are blessed Little Miss Dutton Bright as a button Today has an extra bright gleam For one sacred day's leave To themselves they can cleave Live each hour in a blissful dream They have sworn true love now And he's made solemn vow To return when he's finished his chore He tries fears to dispel Kisses fondest farewell Then he's gone - and it's June ' 44. Little Miss Dutton Bright as a button Sits there now and a sad smile she yields But for him it's all over He touched the clover Now at peace in a Normandy field Quiet and demure, Polite and pure Girls follow in every way true Not like the rough boys Scuffing shoes, making noise, Shooting guns - that's what little boys do. This poem tells a touching story, contains a message, and has rhyme and rhythm