Poem – Mythscapes: Desire

I have long loved the work of mythologist Joseph Campbell. The sheer magnitude of his knowledge is almost unfathomable, and his mastery of the English language was equally incredible. His works have influenced my own in many ways, including now in my poetry. I recently came across a quote by Mr. Campbell that I just could not get out of my head:

“Myths are public dreams.
Dreams are private myths.”

– Joseph Campbell

“Dreams are private myths.” That line really resonated with me. How many times have you found yourself staring at the ceiling, creating impossible scenarios in your mind on a sleepless night? What kind of world do you build for yourself in your most private moments? Where do you go when reality gets too loud, too chaotic, too cruel? We each build our own mythscape — a private world that no one may enter and where we can be, and do, whatever we most desire. And so, this poem was born from the mythscape. Just one of countless worlds beyond time and sensibility. In the future, I hope to explore more of these worlds, but first I bring you “Mythscapes: Desire.” I hope you’ll enjoy it.

Mythscapes: Desire

Deep within the
Embrace
Of darkest night
Beneath shadow
And veil
Lying between
Memory
And fantasy
Creating dreams
Untold
And desires
Forbidden
Among guilt and
Hope
Building this
Myth
Of cautious
Glances
And words
Never spoken
Of knowing
Smiles
That hint at
What must
Be hidden
At bubbling
Passion
Churning like
Blue waves
On white cliffs
Unstoppable
Treacherous
Threatening to
Devour
Eroding the senses
And restraint
Until hands seek
Warm skin
Among hushed
Whispers
And pounding
Hearts
Beneath golden
Sunlight
Pouring through
Ancient windows
Illuminating
Two souls
Laid bare
Before each other
For a single
Glorious
Moment
Before the dream
Begins to
Fade
And the harsh
Light of dawn
Breaks the spell
The mythscape
Fading
Fleeting
Leaving behind
Only the quiet
Lull
Of grief
And the lingering
Heat of
Desire


-Laurie Martin-Gardner