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 know that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
Thought on This Poem
Desire burns in our hearts, and we are expected to associate desire with fire. Destruction is cold, heartless, and brutal, and it seems expected to be associated with ice again. Is it a surprise that Frost ends the world by making these simple points? The intended meaning is passion, which is what life is.
