we had a love affair with fire, the president of the United States thought as the match that he'd just struck to light his pipe flared beneath his fingers. He stared into it, mesmerized by its color-and as the fire grew he had the vision of a tower of flame a thousand feet tall, whirling across the country he loved, torching cities and towns, turning rivers to steam, ripping across the ruins of heartland farms and casting
In Robert R. McCammon's novel "Swan Song," the President of the United States experiences a reflective moment while lighting his pipe. He finds himself captivated by the flame's vivid colors, and this fascination sparks a profound vision of destruction. He imagines a towering inferno, sweeping across the nation he holds dear, igniting cities and evaporating rivers, ultimately leaving devastation in its wake.
This imagery illustrates a complex relationship with fire, symbolizing both beauty and chaos. The President's internal struggle represents a greater theme of loss and the destructive potential of power, capturing the fragile balance between creation and annihilation that looms over humanity.
