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.