AS succinct as it is masterly, Robert Frost's tiny poem encompasses both the apocalyptic and the personal.
The New England master used to say that writing poetry without rhyme was like playing tennis with the net down, a challenging view for an era in which free verse largely reigns.
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 favour fire.
But if I had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
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