Subscribe: by Email | in Reader

Casabianca -- Elizabeth Bishop

(Poem #23)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