# XXXVII explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A brief, poetic chapter contemplating the end of time and the fate of Asa Fiske, who will lament his earthly concerns when the final judgment arrives.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mortality and Regret

The chapter dwells on the finality of time and the regret of a man facing his unblest state.

### Political Satire

The mention of 'no rate of interest' satirizes the trivial financial concerns that persist even in apocalyptic imagery.

## Character check-ins

### Gabriel

Gabriel is mentioned as the one who blows the dreadful blast signaling the end of time.

### Deacon Fitch

Asa Fiske is an alias for Deacon Fitch, who lies unblest and will beat his breast at the judgment.

## Key lines

> When Gabriel blows a dreadful blast And swears that Time’s forever past, Days, weeks, months, years all one at last, Then Asa Fiske, lying here unblest, Will beat (and skin his hand) his breast: There’ll be no rate of interest!

When the archangel Gabriel announces the end of time and all temporal measures collapse, the unrepentant Asa Fiske will mournfully beat his chest, realizing that worldly financial concerns no longer matter.

_This stanza uses apocalyptic imagery to mock the futility of earthly greed and regret._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/xxxvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters