Fire & Ice (1923)
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
-Robert Frost
~
Robert Frost is one of my all time favorite poets. His temperamental, moody self wrote deeply, and often based poems off of other works. At the age of 38, he sold his farm, and moved his family to focus solely on his poetry. Many would say that Frost helped to create the image of today’s old town New England. There are many who say this poem is based off of Dante’s Inferno, and the nine lines signify the nine rings of hell. Some believe this poem is about the end of the world, and all the hell we face in our daily lives. Fire being our emotions, and ice being hate. Others say this is about two loves, one strong, one not so much….and the internal decisions and thoughts one has about them.
I’ve personally read this poem all sorts of ways, and depending on my mood, taken it to mean a multitude of things. That’s my favorite kind of poetry….when you can twist the written word into whatever meaning your soul needs right then. I love that this poem lets the reader ultimately decide the ending, as it never truly chooses between fire or ice. Think of the imagery within the poems, even with the basic “fire” and “ice.” Fire is hot, red, burning- just as desire. Ice is cold, and freezing. Isn’t that similar to what hate does to one’s heart and mind? Another tidbit for you…in 1923 when Frost wrote this, scientists were debating how the world would end- fire or ice. Those were the only options at that time.
Ultimately, this poem, to me, is the constant battle within.
Other works by Robert Frost:
-A Late Walk
-Carpe Diem
-The Road Not Taken