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
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 it would 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 have a rendezvous with death
At midnight
In some flaming town
When spring creeps north
Again this year
And I to my pledged word am true
I shall not fail that rendezvous