Alan Seeger

ALAN SEEGER (1888-1916)
Poète américain mort pour la France

I have a rendezvous with Death
At some disputed barricade.
When Spring comes back with rustling shade
And apple-blossoms fill the air.

(Une plaque dans l’herbe
Au Square des Poètes, Paris 16ème)

I have a rendez-vous with Death
At some disputed barricade,
When Spring comes back with rustling shade
And apple-blossoms fill the air.
I have a rendez-vous 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 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 rendez-vous with Death
On some scared slope of battered hill,
When Spring comes round again this year
And the first meadow-flowers appear.

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 rendez-vous with Death
On some scared 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 have a rendez-vous with Death,
At midnight in some blaming town,
When Spring trips north again this year,
And I to my pledged word are true,
I shall not fail that rendez-vous.