In Search of Paradise

Have you found it yet?

For years I've sought an answer

and hoped that I might find,

the whereabouts of Paradise

if that can be defined.

I've dreamed of tropic islands,

white beaches I adore

and 'though I've longed for sea and sun

it seems to be much more.

I've climbed the slopes of mountains,

their peaks lace-capped in snow,

seen crystal flowing water

cascade to depths below.

And mesmerised by sunsets

of gold-black-orange hue,

I've searched the whole world over

to seek the missing clue.

A man of wisdom told me,

he knows where it resides.

It is a feeling not a place,

it's buried deep inside.

Once you embrace contentment,

find joy in all you do,

then Paradise is waiting there,

it's waiting there for you.

Reviews

[Neville]

I am indeed honoured to be the twenty-first appreciator of words to leave his mark here .. needless to say ..
1) I very much enjoyed my visit here today ..
2) I hope that many more will now follow in the wake I have just created ..
3) and although maybe slow to get here, the journey has been most worthwhile ..
4) Neville :)

[Chris Shaw]

So dear Neville I am delighted you have found this oldie and the journey has been worth while. Have a super day.

Chris

[Richard🖌]

I read this one a coupl'a times before, Chris, while cherry-picking through your pieces, and it keeps luring me back, so I thought, "Why am I not reviewing this?" and just realized why. It's because I am so enthralled by it I wanted to avoid being overly exuberant and verbose, but here I am being overly exuberant and verbose … LOL!
Really and truly, I will try to avoid wearing out my welcome.
Technically speaking, your Unmetered Quatrains virtually dance upon the page, syntax, metaphor, and imagery speak a language that embraces my senses, and rhymes are near spot-on perfect.
Emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually, you tick all my boxes, and creatively you take me to bliss.
Further, I am compelled to answer your question, and it is, "Yes."

With starry-eyed thanks and warmest, most grateful hugs to thee! ⁓ Richard ✨

[Chris Shaw]

I am truly delighted that you are reading my stuff. Happy that you are cherry picking and ask you to kindly continue to do so. It pleases me so much to know that you have found poems of mine that dance for you. I could ask for nothing better, especially from someone with your technical knowledge of poetry. Many, many thanks Richard.

[Richard🖌]

Aren't you curious where I found Paradise?

[Chris Shaw]

I would like to believe you found it in my writing, but I couldn't possibly hope for that much :))

[Richard🖌]

dear Chris,
I find the quality of your poetry to be far beyond "stuff". : )

[Richard🖌]

It is true, Chris,
I found it in this very piece, in that which you touched within and bade me feel.

[Chris Shaw]

Always grateful for your reviews. Now you can make a poets heart sing.

[Maxwell Ryder]

Paradise must exist. It has to. The world is paradise for snippets. I hope I can get to it, even if I’m in the lowest rung.

Thanks for your write. You have that knack.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Maxwell. Of course there is a paradise. We have to find our own paradise.

Chris

[Sarah-Louise]

Love this piece. Really spoke to me 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Sarah-Louise. Your review is very much appreciated.

Chris

[Sarah-Louise]

You are most welcome :)

[Mark Anthony Cotterman]

it took me my life time and facing death to understand this which you have penned impeccably. i read this twice, not for understanding but just to hear myself read it. it comes off so incredibly professional and my that i mean like a classic piece of poetry. well done

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much. Especially for reading it twice. And I agree, it's not until you have faced death that you start to understand the importance and fragility of living.

[Mark Anthony Cotterman]

Amen to that..

[Richard🖌]

Did you know, Chris,
That Mark passed away just the other day … read his profile.

[Chris Shaw]

I didn't know that Richard, and am quite upset to hear that particularly after his comments left on my poem. I can't access his full profile unfortunately. May his soul RIP. Thank you for telling me Richard.

[Richard🖌]

Thought you'd want to know, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

How right you are Richard. And thank you again.

[Richard🖌]

Humbly yours.

[alanwgraham]

I enjoyed this Christine and you have encapsulated a profound truth within this perfectly rhyming and scanning poem. I can identify with your message - I've been to many beautiful places but it never seems enough! True contentment does lie within.
Great work.
Cheers,
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Alan, pleased you enjoyed and identified with this poem. Have a good bank Holiday week-end.

[Ranger Kessel]

I am a huge fan of meter.And of rhyme. This piece did it for me.I really enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing and a wonderful post. I appreciated the read. Thank you!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much. Pleased you enjoyed. I too love meter and rhyme, but also dabble with free/blank verse.

[barleygirl]

Such a perfect composition! Your message is strong & full of sensory delights & flowing like the searching quest you describe. Great rhyme & rhythm, which I always enjoy. At the end, your overall observation is one that resonates with truth (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Margie, pleased you enjoyed this one. Written quite a while back now. Thank you for your lovely review.

Chris

[Gee]

Peace of mind, happiness, true love and to be comfortably off to enjoy all three. Guess ny paradise is built on foundations which are my good lady wife.
Like this lots.
Good afternoon Christine

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Gee for your lovely review. Having the right partner makes all the difference. Pleased you enjoyed.

Chris

[B]

Very beautiful and wise christine
Truly touched by your words
We all seek this paradise within
Thanks for sharing

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Lingering Soul, pleased to meet you here. Yes we are all searching for something within that puts meaning to life. Thank you for your kind review.

Chris.