Fire and Ice by Robert Frost

Fire and Ice

By Robert Frost

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.

This is one of Frost’s most famous poems and a favorite for people who need (or want) to memorize a poem.

I do not have much to say about this one, except that the weird rhyme scheme works: ABAABCBCB

Also, given the terrifying state of the world right now, we seem to be on fire. Of course, ICE has come to be associated with violence and destruction. Both of these connotations give us—readers in 2026—an interesting interpretation that Frist could never have imagined but seems very much in keeping with the poem.