Francis Poulenc’s Thank-you Note to Louise de Vilmorin

To you, seductive woman-child,

Most feminine of poets,

To you, impertinent seagull,

Ambassadress to so many heart-refugees,

To you, gypsy ear, temptation-tousled hair,

To you, thief of hearts, virtuoso of desires,

To you, heart's-ache, heart's-ease,

Your words are your flesh are your soul,

Love letters, sand-stars.

Ah, voilá! C'est ton portrait:

You resolve the sad joy of the universe.