The story of Prometheus, a Greek Titan, is dark and disturbing, and captures the essence of a hero of humanity that is punished for his selfless deeds. Prometheus was always considered to be the protector of mankind.
In a moment of rage with mortals, Zeus decided to take fire away as a punishment. Prometheus, in an effort to help humanity, managed to steal fire back, and give it to humans. This infuriated Zeus to no end, so he ordered for the creation of Pandora, who was destined to bring darkness and trouble to mankind. Prometheus was punished greatly for his crime. He was chained to a rock, and during the day, an eagle would eat through his body, all the way to his liver. His liver was regenerated during the night, and his wounds healed because of Prometheus's immortality.
And so, according to the myth, Prometheus suffered unimaginable pain, day and night, for his actions and efforts to help humankind and give us something that is vital to our civilization.
This story inspired me to think on the selfishness of humanity and everything we take for granted, which in turn lead to this poem:
Light was given
in sunshine, with
no debt to pay,
no burden to bear,
the world was
made this way.
Warmth is shared,
desired, and
taken away
when
Darkness sweeps
over in the night,
and we are left
with blackened sky,
remnants of stars
and moonlight.
Sleep escapes time,
Fear knows to wake,
Cold forces himself
on his victims, and
invites Death for a
cruel fate. We are
a ticking time bomb
in the night,
but
we wait.
He saw this and
stole fire,
held it between his
hands, to
save us, to help
give a fighting
chance.
He suffers by Day
for his crime,
feels the heat
of the Sun
for all time, under
the rock that holds
him, binds him there.
The eagle comes to eat
like clockwork, and
he can do nothing
but stare in silenced
screams, his body
ripped apart at the
seams.
Now,
Darkness comes
when we please.
Cold is controlled,
Fear stays asleep,
Warmth is
taken by everyone
with ease.
We sit, and light
our cigarettes,
burn buildings down,
drink whiskey and
bourbon, never listen
to the sound of
the crack of firewood,
only tobacco between
our teeth, set fire to die
in ashes
for a moment of relief.
