Fire And Ice

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.

On a recent road test the young lady driving remarked that she enjoyed reading poetry. “What poets have you been reading?” I asked. She mentioned a few including Ogden Nash. Having a chance to reveil my vast literary knowledge I proceeded to receite what I've always thought was an Ogden Nash poem.

“Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

If I had my desire,

Ice would suffice.”

As you can see from the poem on top I had both the author and the verse confused. I was always quite happy in my ignorance, having quoted my version many times, but that evening I went home and did a fact check on myself and discovered the error.

Oh bliss no more, you can be sure, my verse was wrong but heart was pure.