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Prometheus

Ivan M. Granger, Ivan M. Granger poetry, Secular or Eclectic, Secular or Eclectic poetry,  poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry, Yoga / Hindu poetry by Ivan M. Granger
(1969 - ) Timeline

Original Language
English

Secular or Eclectic
Yoga / Hindu : Advaita / Non-Dualist
Contemporary

The arsonist's eye
sees
in every stick
only sleeping flame.

It sees
each twig
fulfill itself
in fire.

This world
trembles
at heaven's
all-consuming
stare.

Yet Prometheus suffers
bound
to his black rock.

With his lightning blind wit
he gave fire to the world--

rather than give the world to it.

 

2002

 

 

Themes

  Fire
 
 
 
 



 

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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

A few questions to contemplate:

Who is the "arsonist"? And what is the fire that the arsonist sees in everything? What does it mean for a twig to "fulfill itself / in fire"?

Usually Prometheus is seen as the champion of humanity against the arbitrary will of the gods. Why, here, have I justified Prometheus' punishment? Why should he have given the world to fire, rather than the other way around? And what is the significance of his punishment, to be bound to a rock?

 

 


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Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2009 by Ivan M. Granger.
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