SomewhereinFrance
19thSeptember1914
My dearest
Happy 20th birthday. That was..all that..I wanted to say. No! no! no, no...don't think that I don't wish to speak with you..it's the contrary, I have a lot to say but..they struggle to roll off my tongue.
I wish words came easy to me like they do to you.
Your poems are so beautiful yet..beyond the realm of my knowledge...just like how your heart is. I love you..despite my shortcomings. I have reached the battalion safely. The men are kind to me as I am the youngest among them. You do not need to worry about me. I think I will fare well in the war....I have prepared for it..well, I tried to. How do you do, back in Grasse? What dress did you wear? What sweets did you eat and most importantly, did you miss me? I wish to imagine you...so that we can celebrate your birthday in my dreams.
My handwriting is a bit messy, so forgive me for that..the cold in here makes it difficult to write. Other soldiers told me that Grasse is the perfume capital of the world. Oh dear. Did your sweet scent from there travel to the whole world? I might have to fight a bigger war after this to win your hand in marriage then. I would love to..but it also scares me..people scare me and if I lose, maybe I will become your butler, so I can still take care of you.
Do take care of yourself and don't dare to roam in the forests for fun. War is dangerous. Wait for me, we will go to the forest together and maybe build a tree house. I will learn some carpentry skills. Good night.
Yours
Moon