PROMETHEUS
By
Michael
Edwin Q.
Many years ago, just after the
dawn of man, the gods of Olympus were lounging
around, looking down at the human race, and probably having themselves a good
laugh at our expense. But one god in particular, Prometheus the Titian, seeing
us in our frailty became filled with compassion.
Zeus made sure mankind had no
access to fire. Perhaps, he thought we might hurt ourselves, or burn the place
down, but for whatever reason, Zeus would not allow man to have fire.
Prometheus looked down at us,
huddled in our caves, freezing to death in the bitter chill of winter, and this
moved him to tears. He secretly stole some of Zeus’ fire, igniting a fennel
plant, and brought the gift of fire down to earth and gave it to man. He taught
us how to use it, how to cook and keep warm. Mankind was on its way to becoming
civilized, which is not what the folk back up at Olympus
wanted. They liked us just the way we were. After all, what’s more
entertaining…a scientist…a mathematician…a philosopher…or a monkey in a funny
hat? You guessed it…the monkey!
It enraged Zeus when he discovered
what happened; and when he found out who had done it, he demanded retribution.
He bound Prometheus and put him atop Caucasus,
a high mountainous peak. As punishment, every day a giant eagle pounced down on
the helpless Prometheus, split him open and tore out his liver – an
excruciatingly painful experience, to say the least. Now, here’s the
“Boo-Hoo-Hoo” part. Prometheus, being immortal and unable to be killed, only
tortured…unlike mortals…each night his liver grew back. The following day, and
each day after that, the procedure was repeated. This should stand as a shining
reminder to all you “Goody-Goodies” out there, there is such a thing as “Being
too good”. Far as I know, Prometheus is still there atop Caucasus,
having his liver ripped out of him – maybe for all eternity.
In the middle of Manhattan
is Rockefeller Center
(a conglomerate of business buildings, restaurants and shops); and in the heart
of Rockefeller Center (during winter months only) is a
huge ice rink. In front of and above this ice rink, looking down in godly
fashion is an impressively large golden statue of Prometheus – in all his naked
Greek glory. There’s a flaming fennel in his right hand, and he’s in flight to
earth to give mankind the gift of fire…fire that will cook his meals and heat
his nights.
Now, I find it upsettingly ironic
and somewhat shameless and callous to have Prometheus put in such a position.
The poor-bastard-god who put it all on the line and lost everything so humanity
could enjoy the comforts of warmth, forced to watch human beings engage in
recreation and sloshing around on top of a giant block of ice – the skating
rink at Rockefeller
Center.
THE END
Don't forget I'LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS by Michael Edwin Q.
