Casabianca by Elizabeth Bishop

Casabianca

 

Love's the boy stood on the burning deck

trying to recite "The boy stood on

the burning deck." Love's the son

     stood stammering elocution

     while the poor ship in flames went down.

 

Love's the obstinate boy, the ship,

even the swimming sailors, who

would like a schoolroom platform, too,

     or an excuse to stay

     on deck. And love's the burning boy.