Oh Captain! My Captain!

source: robin-williams.net

O Captain! My Captain! our fearful trip is done; 

The ship has weather'd 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 ribbon'd 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 anchor'd 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. 

- Walt Whitman