Gearheads of War

Link with good glimpse into Alan Seeger.  
http://net.lib.byu.edu/~rdh7/wwi/memoir/Seeger/Harvard.htm

Alan Seeger. 1888-1916

121. "I Have a Rendezvous with Death"

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             5
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.      10
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      15
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      20
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.