From "Mythologising you"...

Mythologizing you.

Taken from Joseph Campbell’s Hero with a Thousand Faces. In his book, Campbell describes a “formula” for storytellers, a formula taken from the myths of Ancient Rome and Greece. In Christopher Volger’s book, The Writer’s Journey, the author suggests that this formula can be applied to real life as well, that it is “a great key to life”.

1. Heroes are introduced in the ORDINARY WORLD

You were introduced in red, screaming wails,
clawing at the air, the pressure tight on your
unpractised lungs.

We tease you now that you were born with chords tied tight about your neck,
so desperate, our hero, to escape a life
you had not lived.

Then, we lost you.
For a second,
you died.

You can never be a part of my ordinary world,
as my fingers tease your back,
releasing your too-loud, teenage burp.

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3. They are RELUCTANT at first, or REFUSE THE CALL

Brush your hands over your face,
dry palms against the two-day stubble,
and blink.

NB: If you wanted to go, I would hold you back.

4. They are encouraged by a MENTOR

For as long as I can remember you, I can remember her.

She always haunted your birthday,
your second self, best friend,
sharing everything.

Now, she cares for you as I do,
and as she smiles; I wonder if you see a difference
if you can see the change between two sisters?

For me, she exists because I dislike her,
and she gives you a liberty, an uncertainty –

She could disappear.

NB: If she wanted you to go too, would you?

5. CROSSING THE FIRST THRESHOLD and enter the special world

I remember the first day you went to school. Proud and straight-backed you sat on the carpet, listening to the crinkle-eyed teacher, who smiled at your blonde hair and wide smile.

Your blue sweatshirt smothered you in tight crinkles; newly worn, it had not yet learnt to accommodate itself to your shape. Your trousers then, were the uniform grey. We all knew that by that night, they would have the stereotypical stains, immovable until you are older, and finally learn that falling in football is not a success.

That was the first day I became the big sister, and you first noticed the distinction between a sibling and a friend. You could look bored to see me, and yet I knew that at home time, as we waited for the babysitter, you would hug me; Love you, Han.

Now, it is expected, ordinary, makes me smile. As we both hug our parents, sat on the kitchen bench drinking tea, I feel that moment is endless. But morning comes, you leave for school (shirt sleeves rolled up, no jumper no matter the weather, and bag slung low on your back), and you are crossing a threshold that can only ever be yours.

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11. They cross the third threshold, experience a RESURRECTION, and are transformed by the experience.

I knew your birth had been hard,
I had watched as you screamed,
I helped Daddy with the Christmas dinner,
the first year you joined us.
Nestled to Mummy’s bosom, you were there forever.

I was not prepared to loose you,
to fight and pray to a God I had not known existed.

Quickly, Han, Ali has to go back to the hospital.

Your chest sounded like the tardis,
screeching and billowing,
attempting to reach an impossible release,
the landing point.

Where’s he going?
I don’t know, Han. Daddy’s coming.

Take out your heart from the clamp,
and release your lungs from the large, elastic band,
wrapped tight, and making you cry.

My little brother, no bigger than my doll,
and already you have undertaken more than me,
held your life in your hands,
and fought with a life.

Come home with us, Ali. Fight, and come home.

You did. But a part of you,
the tiniest segment,
stayed behind, and your heart
learnt to beat,
eternally incomplete.

12. They RETURN WITH THE ELIXIER, a boon or treasure to benefit the Ordinary World.

Bum, ch-bum, bum, ch-bum, bum ch-bum.
Your heart beats irregularly, out of time.

People do not believe me when I say,
watching you and knowing there can be
nothing wrong with you –
a six foot rugby player, the image of teenage health.

They struggle to understand that yes,
there is nothing wrong with you.

For, your journey is unimportant, your past no more then memories;

here, now, in this and every second,
you are you and I am me,
and your hand is hardly bigger than the first time I clasped it,
sixteen years ago in the blaring white ward; singled out, even then.

Lean your head on my shoulder,
sigh, and rub the tip of your nose across my shoulder blade.

Tired now, Han.

: 12 Feb 2007 15:28 |  Comments (2) |  Report a problem