Poetry

O Captain! My Captain!

By WHITMAN, WALT
O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
  But O heart! heart! heart!
     O the bleeding drops of red,
        Where on the deck my Captain lies,
          Fallen cold and dead.

O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up -- for you the flag is flung -- for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribboned wreaths -- for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
  Here Captain! dear father!
     This arm beneath your head!
        It is some dream that on the deck,
          You've fallen cold and dead.

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
The ship is anchored safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won:
  Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
     But I with mournful tread,
        Walk the deck my Captain lies,
          Fallen cold and dead.


Poem of the Week

Poem of the Week

'The Tiger' by W. Blake


"Tiger! Tiger! burning bright,
In the forrests of the night ..."
Read the full poem

Poetry Search

Find your favorite poem or poet in our database of over 20,000 classics.

    Search for a Poet

    Search over 5.1 million submitted poets.

    Today's Feature

    Green Daily

    Wondering what you can do in your everyday life to help the planet? Check out Green Daily, a new Earth-friendly blog from AOL. It covers all aspects of "green" living, from tips to product reviews, news and more!