I Have A Rendezvous With Death Poem by Alan Seeger

I Have A Rendezvous With Death

Rating: 3.7


I have a rendezvous with Death
At some disputed barricade,
When Spring comes back with rustling shade
And apple-blossoms fill the air—
I have a rendezvous with Death
When Spring brings back blue days and fair.

It may be he shall take my hand
And lead me into his dark land
And close my eyes and quench my breath—
It may be I shall pass him still.
I have a rendezvous with Death
On some scarred slope of battered hill,
When Spring comes round again this year
And the first meadow-flowers appear.

God knows 'twere better to be deep
Pillowed in silk and scented down,
Where love throbs out in blissful sleep,
Pulse nigh to pulse, and breath to breath,
Where hushed awakenings are dear . . .
But I've a rendezvous with Death
At midnight in some flaming town,
When Spring trips north again this year,
And I to my pledged word am true,
I shall not fail that rendezvous.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Andrew Mcewan 17 January 2007

Easily one of the best first World War Poems - Futility of war, loss of a loved one, death, it's all here!

13 1 Reply
Fabrizio Frosini 10 November 2015

''I have a rendezvous with Death At some disputed barricade, When Spring comes back with rustling shade'' and he really had.. on that 4 July 1916 - he was barely 28 - fighting a futile and inhumane war (like any other, before and after)

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Jackie Rave 19 November 2015

So young and yet he had that forboding.. sad but it is truly beautiful.. and of course we all have that rendezvous.. peace...

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Jackie Rave 19 November 2015

Ah, I was not aware he went so young.. such a beautiful poem.. and so mature for one so young.. ah, we all have that rendezvous..

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Marko Duvnjak 03 June 2015

One of my all time favourite poems

5 0 Reply
Chinedu Dike 19 November 2022

Exquisitely penned with profound insight.

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MAHTAB BANGALEE 17 November 2022

death is the victory for everyone if the death brings meaningful something for the living life and cournty men

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d.longo 31 January 2018

i have read that this was J.F.K's favorite poem...

3 0 Reply
Seamus O Brian 04 January 2017

Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Death will be a victory for me. I commit myself to the arms of my Savior who gave Himself for me that I might have life eternal. No man can separate me from the love of God or His plan for me. I can freely pray for blessings upon all who would seek to harm me, for they are not my enemy, and neither is death.

3 0 Reply
Fabrizio Frosini 10 November 2015

please, pay attention, PH! this same poem has been posted twice.. the second time under ''Rendezvous''

6 0 Reply
Alan Seeger

Alan Seeger

New York City, New York
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