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.

Elizabeth Bishop