Prometheus

Long after men have spangled darkness with their fires
And sprawled their streets like webs in dew,
The smallest flame still has the power to entrance.
We know the fire is a precious child
To be guarded from the wind.
We remember when the wolves were lurking,
Drawing near to taste the fired flesh. 
We threw to them our scraps
And our smoke obscured the sky.
Amid the froth and bubble of our plenty,
When dogs are barking and the boughs are bare
In stars' cold light, we know
That all that lives still hungers,
And all that hungers burns away.

Reviews

[Red Brick Keshner]

Is there a feel that we are able to embrace our Promethean malady? Or is it just adapting to keep the predators away? Something to think about. Thanks of sharing.

[Casey Truax]

I did intend to hint at the energy crisis which ultimately began with the use of fire. I was also inspired by the idea that wolves became domesticated because humans were their only reliable source of cooked meat.

[Red Brick Keshner]

Interesting. An open and communal kitchen, if we spoke wolf.

[CD Campbell]

Can you imagine what it was like when the first man harnessed it? He must have been like a god. Later other men had to to steal it or learn the knowledge of it just like Prometheus taking it back from Zeus for mankind. Nice by the way. I always love me some greek myth stuff. LOL. Imagery top notch on this and all in all a great read. I have to agree with Robert that last lines are... damn good! CD

[Casey Truax]

It’s quite fun to speculate about such things.

[Robert Trakofler]

That all that lives still hungers,

And all that hungers burns away.
...great line:)
I like how you think and incorporate it into your writes

[Casey Truax]

Thank you. I try to appeal to the ear as well as the mind.

[Delmar Cooper]

Well written. A lot be said about fire we know now, in all our wisdom, it isn't an element. Since when did we become wise?

[Casey Truax]

Some cultures think of fire as a living thing and I suspect that early man did as well, and not without good reason.