Caroling Dusk/I Have a Rendezvous with Life

by Countee Cullen

I HAVE A RENDEZVOUS WITH LIFE

(With apologies to the memory of Alan Seeger)

I have a rendezvous with LifeIn days I hope will comeEre youth has sped and strength of mind,Ere voices sweet grown dumb;I have a rendezvous with LifeWhen Spring’s first heralds hum.It may be I shall greet her soon,Shall riot at her behest; It may be I shall seek in vainThe peace of her downy breast;Yet I would keep this rendezvous,And deem all hardships sweet,If at the end of the long white way,There Life and I shall meet.Sure some will cry it better farTo crown their days in sleep,Than face the wind, the road, and rain,To heed the falling deep;Though wet, nor blow, nor space I fear,Yet fear I deeply, too,Lest Death shall greet and claim me ereI keep Life’s rendezvous.