In Kamala Das' poem, Forest Fire, she is speaking directly about the poet's appetite for sensory imput and for taking in, soaking up, all of the experiences and images around her. With wild abandon she 'eats' them and consumes them until they become a part of her. Her hunger and desire to write, create a longing like a fire inside of her. Later, she will take all of these experiences and write something and 'give birth' to it, but the child will be in other arms in many other towns. So, the symbolism is the creative 'fire' as the poet's inspiration and desire to create, and the created work as a child.
