| Tuesday, January 06, 2004 |
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PRES. JOHN F. KENNEDY'S FAVOURITE POEM
I HAVE A RENDEZVOUS WITH DEATH
by Alan Seeger (1888-1916)
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
And close my eyes and quench my breath --
It may be shall pass him still.
I have a rendezvous with Death
On some scarred slope of battered hill,
When Srping comes round again this year
And the first meadow -- flowers appear.
God knows 'twere bettter to be deep
Pillowed in silk and scented down,
Where Love throbs out in blissful sleep,
Pulse nigh to pulse, and in breath to breath,
Where hushed awakenings are dear...
But I've rendezvous with Death
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.
PRES. JOHN F. KENNEDY UNDELIVERED SPEECH
Speech prepared for delivery at the Trade Mart
November 22, 1963 / Dallas, Texas
(...) America today is stronger than ever before.
Our adversaries have not abandoned their ambitions---
our dangers have not diminished -- our vigilance
cannot be relaxed. But now we have the military,
the scientific and the economic strength to do whatever
must be done for the preservation and promotion of freedom.
The strength will never be used in pursuit of aggressive
ambitions--it will always be used in pursuit of peace.
It will never be used to promote provocations -- it will always
be used to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes.
We in this country, in this generation, are -- by destiny rather
than choice -- the watchmen on the walls of world freedom.
We ask, therefore, that we may exercise our strength
with wisdom and restraint -- and that we may achieve
in our time and for all time the ancient vision of "peace
on earth, good will toward men." That must always be
our goal -- and the righteousness of our cause must
always underlie our strength. For as was written longe ago:
"Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."
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| posted by infraternam meam @ 9:07 PM |
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| About Me |
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Name: infraternam meam
Home: Chicago, United States
About Me: I am now at the prime of my life
and have been married for the past 25 years.
Sickly at times, but wants to see the elixir vita,
so that I will be able to see my grandchildren from my two boys.
See my complete profile
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