Fire

Throughout the poem, Reynolds uses the image of fire to symbolize the danger that can entail following one’s dreams. For example, Reynolds describes people who have been consumed by their dreams as people who have been “burned” (59).

Firelight

Along with the image of fire, Reynolds uses the image of firelight to suggest that something positive can arise from one’s pursuit of one’s dream. The image suggests that, amidst all the darkness and the burning, there can still be points of learning.

Jumping

Reynolds returns frequently to the image of jumping, which he uses as a metaphor to express the boldness and sense of daring that one needs in order to pursue one’s dream. The metaphor suggests the sense of peril that one feels in abandoning oneself to one’s dream.

Self-help books

Although Reynolds does not explicitly call them self-help, he does...