Prometheus the Firebringer: 1985

The myth of Prometheus tells of a powerful Greek Titan who stole fire from Olympus and brought it to Earth as a gift to mankind. He was punished for lighting the world, and modern artists sometimes suffer the same fate. They bring enlightenment only to be shunned; they share parts of themselves only to go mad in the giving. Yet, creation continues, no matter the cost.

Sweigart’s creative words bring text alive, and vivid descriptions allow readers to feel pain and despair as well as hear music in their imaginations. The work is challenging in the best of ways as poems entertain until the final page. Prometheus brought light to a dark world, just like artists who pay the price for their brilliance but continue creating anyway.