Eating fireis your ambition: to swallow the flame downtake it into your mouthand shoot it forth, a shout or an incandescenttongue, a wordexploding from you in gold, crimson,unrolling in a brilliant scrollTo be lit up from withinvein by veinTo be the sun
The poem "Eating Fire" by Margaret Atwood explores the intense desire to express oneself through powerful imagery and emotions. The act of swallowing flame symbolizes a deep ambition to harness passion and creativity, transforming internal energy into something vibrant and explosive. It reflects the struggle to communicate profound truths in a dazzling manner, akin to shooting forth fire, which signifies both beauty and intensity.
Atwood beautifully portrays this desire as a journey towards self-illumination, where the individual aspires to radiate like the sun. The vivid imagery of colors like gold and crimson suggests richness and depth in expression. Ultimately, the poem captures the essence of being ignited from within and allows the reader to envision the transformative power of artistic expression.
