I Have A Rendezvous With Death*

    I have a rendezvous with Death
At some disputed target there
When God brings back weather fair
And FLAK blossoms in the air
I have a rendezvous with Death
When he brings back blue skies and dare

    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 we cross the enemy's fear
And the first FLAK bursts appear

God knows 'twere better to be deep
Pillowed in silk and scented down
Where Love throbs out in blissful sleep,
Pulse neigh to pulse, and breath to breath
Where hushed awakenings are dear...
But I've a rendezvous with Death
When fragments whistling, I hear
And I to my pledged mission am true,
I shall not fail that rendezvous.

In Remembrance:  Alan Seeger

*Adapted from Alan Seeger's World War One Poem, to fit the
United States Army Air Corp Of World War Two By,

Willis S. Cole, Jr.  "Sam"