Joseph Campbell.
Joseph Campbell, who was
raised from mud by Jung,
cradled by Nietzsche, and
planted in showbiz nebulae
the star bud of George Lucas,
tells me to follow my bliss,
follow my bliss,
follow my bliss.
This poem has no agenda,
no sticky shadow fingers,
no off-screen thieves,
just a plea for 2013 to
follow your bliss,
follow your bliss,
follow your bliss.
——
Just found out about Joseph Campbell’s work and their relevancies to personal and creative development. Campbell’s “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” helped George Lucas imagine the first Star Wars film. Happy reading and happy 2013!
If anyone has a time machine, please contact me yesterday.
It’s a great book, really fascinating with its demonstration of the collective unconscious via cross cultural mythic archetypes.
Star Wars follows the pattern of the hero cycle. The story of Jesus and also King Arthur do too, amongst mamy others!
Oh, Millie, as a storyteller who knows Campbell, you sure caught my attention. This is marvelous, and I LOVE it!
Happy New Year Millie!
Recently watched the PBS series The Power of Myth. Mind blowing.
I know Campbell from his idea of ‘monomyth’ (to my mind, a particular and powerful metanarrative).
I love the poem, so I hate to sound a sour note here. I wish that Lucas had only followed his bliss as far as the end of the original trilogy. The prequels are flawed – as prequels often are.
Wonderfully wished, Millie!
All the best for the new year. Yes, follow your bliss…
May the Bliss be with you. :)
I thought only English majors read THE HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES, and then writers embraced Christopher Vogler’s THE WRITER’S JOURNEY, applying Campbell’s mythic structures to plot development.
Campbell’s influence goes on and on, and your poem is a wonderful, well crafted tribute to all the influences.
This is delightful.
Hi Millie- Just wanted to stop by & let you know that I nominated you for “Blog of the Year 2012!” http://fictionalmachines.com/2013/01/14/blog-of-the-year-2012-five/ Keep up the great work! :)
I haven’t read much about Campbell since high school. Think it’s time for a revisit?