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 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. "
-Robert Frost 

I had read the above lovely poem sometime in school. I really loved it, like most of Frost’s work. This poem rang into my head recently when I read some of the news pieces in this week’s papers.

“Love affair costs teen his life: Gets murdered by rival and accomplices”

“Girl kills self after being dumped on Facebook”

 

Fire: Two pretty contrasting stories ostensibly, yet the same culprit, too much of “fire”. It’s just too much passion. It appalls me beyond ridicule what drives good men and women to such insanity? It’s like an aphrodisiac, a slow poison. It is fed to us throughout our upbringing, the movies, the books, the fairy tales, peer pressure, society, all…all of them feed so much of this passion, that it builds up on a person and intoxicates the mind. It clogs all rationality and makes one loose perspective. All wouldn't have been lost if the guy would’ve just let go instead of taking the decision of taking another fellow’s life. Or if the girl would've just let her ego go for the sake of other things in life. Of course, if anything, I have the least disrespect for anyone who commits suicide. Yes, you read right, DISRESPECT. I don’t find any circumstances in hell that justifies suicide. I am not alone, pick up any scholarly/religious text and you’ll find the worst punishments meant out for suicide. There isn't any excuse for wilfully letting go of this wonderful life. (That doesn't include euthanasia. I am still undecided about that topic, and am not opinionated on that till I think about it more).

The above few and many more over the years, especially the increasing rate of passion crimes over the years really makes me believe, someday men and women are going to destroy themselves over this. It wouldn't be too much exaggeration to say that there is enough unrest, sufficient unresolved feelings, prominent insecurities in the hearts and minds of young men and women to bring about annihilation of this world on its own.

                            

“Asked to pay Rs27, motorist shoots Gurgaon toll man”

 

Ice: Rs 27?? Twenty seven!!! Sweet Lord!! What has the world come to? Then again, petty as this crime is, I don’t think the rudimentary sentiment is that new.

“Hatred” has always been one of the greatest human vice. Be it in anger, disgust, jealousy or revenge; all have stemmed from the feeling of “hatred” towards fellow men and women folk. After all, wasn’t it “hatred” that brought about the great war of Mahabharata? The eternal wars between the religions of the world? Don’t they all have their roots in “hatred”? Our own nation fights many internal wars between castes, sects, religions, regions that are all deeply rooted in “hatred” and mistrust. What makes even great leaders of the say and do horrible things is after all, some uncontrollable feeling of “hatred”. This in contrast is a slow, solid poison. It grows in the minds like a creeper and grips harder and harder, like a true poison ivy, till men and women are controlled, possessed and driven by their “hatred” towards each other. Tolerance is the key. It’s the only defence. You’ll find a million things worth disliking about the person next to you. But remember, you have better things to do then carry around a baggage of “hate”. If the quotes are really sticking out then let me explain. I never use the word hate. I am just too scared by it. It just brings in so much negativity. It means, in so many ways that you are so prude that you think you can afford restricting your world and prefer carrying this dark lead heavy feeling in your conscience forever. It just isn’t worth it.

The world is a beautiful place. Life is too precious to burn or freeze.