But in the deep red event behind the stove's glass window the filament of time was never tangled, nothing had a name or a reason, everything was itself, and the things she would always know, even if you took her head away, even if you killed her, were confirmed: It catches, then burns, then blazes; it rages and sings, it wanes, it shifts and flares, it burns a little longer and then weakens, whatever it is, and goes out. But if you lay the small wood across it in the morning, it all begins again.
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The passage illustrates the nature of existence, highlighting that time and realities are unbound by names or meanings. It emphasizes an innate understanding that persists regardless of an individual's state, suggesting a cyclical process of life. The act of burning and the transformation of fire represent the fundamental rhythms of life that continue regardless of individual circumstances.
This cyclical renewal signifies resilience and continuity. Even when things fade or lose their intensity, the potential for revival always exists, similar to rekindling a fire with fresh wood. The metaphor reflects the inevitable nature of endings and beginnings, encapsulating both the transient beauty and the enduring essence of existence as conveyed in Denis Johnson's "Fish doro."
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