Wednesday, October 08, 2003
Fire Story
Prometheus and his brother, Epimetheus,
Their four hands the Titans tell formed man.
Epimetheus did the lion’s share
Fashioning every creature with thought & care.
When it came to man, the last in line,
All the gifts of swift, claw, fin and wing had been passed along.
What special gifts were left for men?
Prometheus said, “Man must be our best creation,
For we’ve made man a mirror of our own reflection.”
Minerva interceded,
“Perhaps a torch of heaven’s fire?”
“Brilliant” Prometheus said.
And so Prometheus with Minerva’s help
Purloined a flickering tongue from heaven’s hearth.
Prometheus paused while passing man the flame,
He said, “Among all the animals you alone
Will master fire and with this fire you will rule the earth.
Use it well and you shall flourish,
Use it poorly and you and many more will perish.
Prometheus and his brother, Epimetheus,
Their four hands the Titans tell formed man.
Epimetheus did the lion’s share
Fashioning every creature with thought & care.
When it came to man, the last in line,
All the gifts of swift, claw, fin and wing had been passed along.
What special gifts were left for men?
Prometheus said, “Man must be our best creation,
For we’ve made man a mirror of our own reflection.”
Minerva interceded,
“Perhaps a torch of heaven’s fire?”
“Brilliant” Prometheus said.
And so Prometheus with Minerva’s help
Purloined a flickering tongue from heaven’s hearth.
Prometheus paused while passing man the flame,
He said, “Among all the animals you alone
Will master fire and with this fire you will rule the earth.
Use it well and you shall flourish,
Use it poorly and you and many more will perish.
