But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
(a) The entire extract is in present tense but the first line. Why is it so?
POEM-Fire &ice
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Answers
Answer:
The structure of the poem is A-B-A A-B-C B-C-B in its rhythm form.
The poem is related to self consciousness of time and using a present, past strategy might have made it sound everlasting in a way.
Considering that the theme of the poem runs around elements of the earth being used as connotations for showcasing the emotions of desire and hatred, the poem shifted from present tense to past.
The beginning of the poem talks about stating a universal fact, i.e. the end of the world. This fact is that indeed it will end one day, but since that day has not happened yet, it cannot be written in past tense.
Secondly, the poet's formation included personal experience versus what he expects to happen, so he uses present tense and then switches it to his personal experiences or his knowledge, what he thinks. So all of that has already happened and he is showcasing that, so its in past form.