Fire

The delicate destroyer

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

Interesting symbolism in this one. I think the fire described is actually a symbol for life, with a capital L. As such, it unifies, or as the poem states, burns bridges. Also, it clears away dead things, making room for clean air. Furthermore, it "destroys the destroyer," probably death, giving life to the phoenix, the mythical bird that rose from the ashes. This imagery is repeated with the picture of green shoots coming out of burnt seeds. The last two couplets reinforce the symbolism by portraying life as a never-ending circle that continues beyond human hope. A well written, reassuring poem for the dead of winter.