Easy Wind and Downy Flake

Fire and Ice

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


The first time I read this poem, I was in a high school and I loved the phrase, "From what I've tasted of desire/I hold with those who favor fire. I had no idea what he meant beyond a cognitive understanding the words. I was still a baby with a hell of a lot to learn.

Today, I am on the threshold of middle age and I still have a lot to learn but I did pick up a few things since I was in high school. I know the bitter taste of betrayal and the scorched earth left behind by the rage it brings in its wake. I have also lived with a hate so cold that it nearly stopped my heart.

Fire will leave a pile of ashes but ice can leave something sadder; the preserved memory of what was; frozen but empty of all life.

Yes Mr Frost, both fire and ice can destroy the world each in it's terrible way. Thank you for saying it so eloquently.