Prometheus

by Ivan M. Granger


Original Language English

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.

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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?








Prometheus