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

[R.E. Ray]

You capture so well the Hollywood version of paradise and then wake us to the reality we ought to know. Nice story in a few brief stanzas with the perfect ending. "Waiting" is the ideal word here, as paradise waiting to be discovered by each of us. I look forward to reading more of your work.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Robert for your lovely review. Pleased to meet you.

Chris

[Pete]

paradise lies within us.

"There is no value in life except what you choose to place upon it and no happiness in any place except what you bring to it yourself." - Thoreau

you write exceptionally well with depth of meaning. i really appreciate this. thank you for sharing truth ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

I love your Thoreau quote. Pleased you enjoyed the read and flattered by your compliments. Thank you Pete.

[...]

Our paradise is not lost if we are not.all great and good is inside us.I like your creative searching in your writing.,long is the way and hard that out of hell leads up to the light
JOHN MILTON PARADISE LOST.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Martin. "All great and good is inside us". How true that is.

[Ink]

What calming ending :)
We do undergo a lot of troubles and all because we look for stability, peace of mind, making roots. Everything we are doing is so we can stop and feel ourselves smiling just by being where we need to be

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your kind comments Ink.

[sette]

yes that journey is difficult to trek but once it had been reached, the serenity that has been missing for so long is finally found at last.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you sette. It might be a long journey but I feel sure it is worth the wait.

[sette]

totally and there is that paradise it is not a myth but a reality as well

[Papaya]

is it found in the journey or the destination i wonder
nice imagery here and a very uplifting message :)

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased you enjoyed the read. The journey may be rocky but the destination sublime.

[Jimmy Yetts]

Jesus told us that The Kingdom of God is within.
A lovely and insightful portrayal!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Jimmy for your lovely review.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i think it IS a feeling...not so much a place anymore...
I think God deconstructed it when Adam and Eve were tossed out.
but we can find it almost anywhere if we look and feel hard enough.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

I am sure you are right Jacob. Not an easy thing to achieve, total contentment. I am getting there though.

[Wild Rose]

Very wise words Christine
Sand and sun > yes for holidays
Mountains > Already on our door step
Good job & money > worked hard to get that
Two of us together
At last we found a place

It rains and snows > WE have each other to hold and embrace

[Chris Shaw]

Lovely review Wild Rose. Sounds as though you have all you want, all you need.

[Wild Rose]

Yes - Now we have