Forgetfulness
In this poem, the narrator is describing how the brain forgets certain pieces of information and how even as we learn one thing, we are forgetting another. The narrator also reminds us that one day we will join these forgotten pieces of information and be forgotten ourselves.
Flames
This is a humorous poem about Smokey the Bear, a mascot whose slogan is "only you can prevent forest fires." In this poem, Smokey becomes tired of fruitlessly warning people not to set forest fires, and goes into the woods with a bottle of gasoline and a box of matches to show them how to do it properly.
Litany
In this poem, Collins starts off by comparing someone, presumably his love, to various romantic objects like the bread, the knife, the crystal goblet, and the dew. However, he then goes on to tell her that she cannot be compared to a whole host of other romantic objects. He follows this with a similar analysis of himself, acknowledging his virtues and his shortcomings. He ends the poem by reassuring his love that even though she cannot be everything, she is still important.
