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Alan
Seeger. 1888–1916 |
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"I Have a Rendezvous with Death" |
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I HAVE a rendezvous with Death |
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At some disputed barricade, |
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When Spring comes back with
rustling shade |
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And apple-blossoms fill the air— |
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I have a rendezvous with Death |
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When Spring brings back blue days
and fair. |
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It may be he shall take my hand |
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And lead me into his dark land |
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And close my eyes and quench my
breath— |
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It may be I shall pass him still. |
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I have a rendezvous with Death |
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On some scarred slope of battered
hill, |
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When Spring comes round again this
year |
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And the first meadow-flowers
appear. |
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God knows 'twere
better to be deep |
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Pillowed in silk and scented down, |
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Where love throbs out in blissful
sleep, |
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Pulse nigh to pulse, and breath to
breath, |
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Where hushed awakenings are
dear... |
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But I've a rendezvous with Death |
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At midnight in some flaming town, |
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When Spring trips north again this
year, |
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And I to my pledged word am true, |
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I shall not fail that rendezvous. |