'Flames' by Billy Collins


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Smokey the Bear heads
into the autumn woods
with a red can of gasoline
and a box of wooden matches.

His ranger's hat is cocked
at a disturbing angle.

His brown fur gleams
under the high sun
as his paws, the size
of catcher's mitts,
crackle into the distance.

He is sick of dispensing
warnings to the careless,
the half-wit camper,
the dumbbell hiker.

He is going to show them
how a professional does it.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Flames by Billy Collins: A Masterpiece of Love and Loss

Billy Collins is a master of poetry, and his poem Flames is a masterpiece of love and loss. This poem is a journey through the stages of a relationship, from the first spark of attraction to the final smoldering ember of a love that has died. It is a haunting and powerful work, filled with vivid imagery and raw emotion.

The Beginning of the Flame

The poem begins with the image of a flame, a symbol of passion and desire. The speaker describes the flame as "a tongue of light" that "licked at the air," creating a sense of movement and energy. This opening stanza sets the tone for the poem, establishing the idea of a new relationship that is full of excitement and possibility.

As the poem continues, the speaker explores the early stages of the relationship, describing the moments when the flame first begins to burn. He writes, "We were two matchsticks struck in the dark," capturing the sense of uncertainty and vulnerability that comes with falling in love. The image of the matchsticks also suggests that the relationship is fragile, as if it could be easily extinguished.

The Burning of the Flame

As the relationship grows, so does the flame. The speaker describes how the flame "raged and roared" as the couple falls deeper in love. It is a time of intense passion and excitement, as the two lovers become consumed by their desire for each other.

The imagery in this section of the poem is particularly powerful. The speaker describes the flame as "a furnace door flung open," creating a sense of heat and intensity. He also writes that the flame "made us sweat and singe our hair," suggesting that the passion is almost too much to bear.

The Fading of the Flame

But as we know, all flames must eventually burn out. The speaker describes how the flame "shrank to a single blue point" as the relationship began to fade. This image of the dying flame is a powerful symbol of the loss and sadness that comes with the end of a relationship.

The speaker also explores the feelings of regret and longing that come with the end of a relationship. He writes, "I wanted to cup my hands around it / like a dying firefly," creating a sense of desperation and sadness.

The Smoldering of the Ashes

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker writes, "We were left with the remains / of a fire that had burned too hot and bright." This image of the smoldering ashes is a powerful reminder of the intensity of the relationship that has now come to an end.

But even as the flame has died, the speaker suggests that there is still some hope. He writes, "We could see it was still glowing / like a single coal in the dark." This final image suggests that even in the midst of loss and despair, there is still a glimmer of hope.

Conclusion: A Masterpiece of Love and Loss

In conclusion, Flames by Billy Collins is a masterpiece of love and loss. It is a powerful and haunting work that captures the intensity and passion of a relationship, as well as the sadness and regret that comes with its end. The imagery in this poem is particularly impactful, creating vivid and powerful pictures in the reader's mind.

As a reader, it is impossible not to feel moved by this poem. It is a testament to the power of love and the pain that comes with its loss. Billy Collins has truly captured something universal in this work, something that speaks to the human experience of love and heartbreak. It is a work that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it, a true masterpiece of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Flames by Billy Collins: A Poem of Passion and Desire

Billy Collins is a renowned American poet who has won numerous awards for his works. One of his most famous poems is Flames, which is a beautiful and passionate piece that explores the themes of love, desire, and passion. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its meaning, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line, "There are things that burn me now which turn golden when I am happy." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, as it suggests that the speaker is experiencing some kind of emotional pain that is transformed into something beautiful when they are happy. The use of the word "burn" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is experiencing intense emotions that are almost painful in their intensity.

The second stanza of the poem continues this theme, as the speaker describes how their emotions are like flames that consume them. The lines "I am consumed by the fire of my own desire / and the flames are licking at my heels" suggest that the speaker is in the grip of a powerful passion that is threatening to overwhelm them. The use of the word "licking" is particularly evocative, as it suggests that the flames are not just burning, but also caressing the speaker's skin.

The third stanza of the poem introduces a new theme, as the speaker describes how their passion is like a wild animal that they cannot control. The lines "I am like a wild animal / pacing back and forth in my cage" suggest that the speaker is struggling to contain their emotions, and that they feel trapped by their own desires. The use of the metaphor of the cage is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is both the captor and the captive of their own emotions.

The fourth stanza of the poem returns to the theme of flames, as the speaker describes how their passion is like a fire that cannot be extinguished. The lines "I am like a fire that cannot be put out / burning brighter and hotter with each passing moment" suggest that the speaker's passion is only growing stronger, and that it is impossible to contain or control. The use of the word "brighter" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's passion is not just intense, but also beautiful in its intensity.

The fifth stanza of the poem introduces a new theme, as the speaker describes how their passion is like a drug that they cannot resist. The lines "I am like a junkie / addicted to the rush of my own desire" suggest that the speaker is not just consumed by their passion, but also addicted to it. The use of the metaphor of addiction is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's passion is not just a passing emotion, but something that has taken hold of them and is now controlling them.

The sixth and final stanza of the poem returns to the theme of flames, as the speaker describes how their passion is like a flame that will never die. The lines "I am like a flame that will never go out / burning forever in the darkness" suggest that the speaker's passion is not just intense and beautiful, but also eternal. The use of the word "forever" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker's passion is not just a passing emotion, but something that will endure long after they are gone.

In terms of structure, the poem is composed of six stanzas, each containing two lines. This structure gives the poem a sense of rhythm and symmetry, and also emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's emotions. The use of repetition, particularly the repetition of the word "like" in each stanza, also emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's emotions, and creates a sense of unity and coherence throughout the poem.

In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of several metaphors and similes to convey the speaker's emotions. The use of the metaphor of flames is particularly effective, as it suggests both the intensity and the beauty of the speaker's passion. The use of the metaphor of addiction is also effective, as it suggests that the speaker's passion is not just a passing emotion, but something that has taken hold of them and is now controlling them.

In conclusion, Flames by Billy Collins is a beautiful and passionate poem that explores the themes of love, desire, and passion. Through its use of metaphor and repetition, the poem conveys the intensity and beauty of the speaker's emotions, and creates a sense of unity and coherence throughout. Whether read as a love poem or as a meditation on the nature of desire, Flames is a powerful and evocative work that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

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