The Hero awakens to find himself Underworld
sometimes by choice
sometimes by fear impelled
sometimes with no idea
whence nor why
Yet here he is
Underworld Alone
in distressed & charnel tunnels
lit only by gutter of candlelight
armed only with small blade, rough-hewn
no armor
The Hero Struggles
through night wrapped in glamours
bow-tied in illusion
He loses purchase.
He loses heart
He loses hope
He faces demons & devils & specters
He fights invisible monsters
& nightmare grotesques.
He must overcome his fear
He must acknowledge
He must accept the Ally
when such gift appears
In fairy tales
He then rescues the abducted princess
reclaims the stolen, magical jewels
In this reality — so much more daunting
He finds
& transforms
an aspect of Self.
The Hero, exhausted
returns to Upperworld
Adjusts new eyes, in shadow,
to the brightness about him
Rejoins Community:
welcomed, embraced
The Hero’s Journey
his bravery, his learning
his transformation
respected rejoiced in
Resplendent in the Sun
And today, as Community
we join together with the Heartfelt Light of
Love & Joy & Spirit
to recognize
to honor
to celebrate
The incredible Journeys
of these Heroes
our Holden Graduates.
Renee Beck: Invocation for Holden High School Graduation, at the Orinda Community Church, 7 June 2014