Paradise...In The Mind And Eye Of The Beholder...

"Paradise"......a sacred dream of perfection…supreme bliss.

A place where no flies, midges, sand-flies and ticks dare enter...include snakes and cockroaches in the list, too.

A special place wherein one says he/she is going to do something, and does it.

…where expectations are met and achieved.

…where love outweighs hate.

…where tenderness replaces violence

...where empathy replaces apathy.

Paradise is where respect for each other is mutual.

…where cowards do not exist.

…where consideration for the feelings of another is of most importance

…where corruption, duplicity and deceit are non-existent.

…where belief in one's self is allowed to grow, bloom and be.

…where greedy selfishness is replaced by the true meaning of 'selfishness'.

…where no falsehood is allowed.

A place where prejudices and assumptions are banned.

…where the only games are played in the sports/games arenas.

Paradise is where hidden agendas are non-existent.

…where murder, rape, war, abuse, poverty…and the abuse of children are unknown.

Paradise is where the battle for life, the battle to exist, does not exist.

Paradise is...to be free...to live in a democratic society...to be an individual.

…where everyone has the right to live as an individual.

Paradise is to be able to listen, to learn...to appreciate what the other is saying, thinking or feeling.

Paradise is not being dictated to or to dictate to....

…being allowed to keep one's true dentity...

…to perceive reality

...where knowledge is gained by fact and not pretension.

…where human life is valued most highly.

…where self-esteem is valued most highly.

…where ego is understood and valued.

Where truth is.

Paradise is not being afraid.

Paradise is to laugh, openly and loudly...not at another, but with each other.

Paradise is to remember the past fondly...to retain memories of the best of it and being able to toss away the debris.

Paradise is to cherish the present and be excited about the future.

Where the impotent have no place

...where the concept of 'right' is clear.

…where mediocrity has no place.

…where morality is not juggled.

…where standards are high.

Where do I begin to tell of its wondrous beauty
Miles of azure haze drifting across languid valleys
Variations of colours not unlike changes in moods
As the sun performs its first tremulous gesture
Of welcome to the dawning day awakening birds
A moment’s silence stilling the surging waves
Paying homage to the arrival of the golden orb
Conducting a symphony of powerful energies
Whilst bidding farewell to the serene mistress
Of the night her silver sphere wafts silently
Over the gentle stirrings of the day being born
And peace once more is abruptly disturbed
A new day dawns begetting fresh naïve promises

(Paintings and poem by me)