Yesterday I spoke of visiting the Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts. One of Kennedy’s favorite poems was I have a Rendezvous with Death by Alan Seeger. The poem is a reminder of his grim fate while stuck at sea and later marooned on the remote Salomon Islands during World War II. It’s always interesting to find poems of the past, in this case 1916 reused in modern culture.
Last year Gears of War 2 was released for the XBOX 360. The great marketing people at Microsoft Publishing Studios and Epic Games used an abridged version of Alan Seeger’s poem to describe the game. The trailer known as Rendezvous with its eerie narration brings this 90 year old poem back to life in a new light.
Youtube: ”Rendezvous Trailer”
The official trailer from Microsoft is also availible in 720p is availble here.
Flag at John F. Kennedy Presidential Library measures at 45′ x 26′
Yesterday I visited the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, Massachusetts. This marks the second Presidential library I’ve had the opportunity to visit, the first being the Lincon Library in Springfield, IL. While at the JFK Library I learned that John F. Kennedy actually wanted to write and become an English Teacher. However, after World War II Kennedy refocused his attention and ran for Congress. (He later wound up writing a book, Profiles in Courage, 1955)
One of the most dramatic events in Kennedy’s early life was while he was serving in the Navy as a commander of a PT Boat in the Soloman Islands during World War II. His ship was severely damaged and after 15 hours in the open sea without a life jacket he and his 11 men became stranded on an island. He was later rescued after giving an inscribed coconut to a Native with instructions to the Navy base.
Kennedy remarked that one of his favorite poems was “I have a Rendezvous with Death” by Alan Seeger (1888-1916). Seeger’s poems were released a year after his death, coincidentally the same year Kennedy was born (1917).
I have a Rendezvous with Death
by Alan Seeger
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. (more…)
Copyright 2009 by James McGowan. Photos are Copyright by their respective owners, they are listed as Creative Commons, out of copyright, attributed, or my own.
