J.F.K.'s Favorite Poem (I am told)

on occasion, this was recited to JFK, to ease his mind during evenings of contemplation where she and the children were around him. He often asked her to recall it for him.
     B-17 pilots, memorized it, during the early days of WWII when heavy losses were happened in the massive bombing over Europe. Most of our air crews were frightened at the 50% losses and the poem bolstered their spirits:
                  I HAVE A RENDEZVOUS WITH DEATH

                     I have a rendezvous with death
                     at some disputed barricade
                     when spring comes back with rusting 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 I shall pass him still
                     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 were better to be deep
                     pillowed in silk and scented down
                     where love throbs out in blissful sleep
                     pulse night to pulse, and breath to breath
                     where hushed awakenings are dear
                     but I've a rendezvous with death
                     at midnight in some flaming town
                     and I to my pledged word am true
                     I shall not fail that rendezvous.....