This Side of Paradise (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

This Side of Paradise
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Saturday, June 3, 2023 Rated "G" by the Author.

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-- This Side of Paradise -- By John Herlihy We know this side of paradise, In a cottage beside a pond. Where be the other side of paradise? Place of salvation for which we longed. This side injustice, lack of hope, In the thick of existential reality. That side: contentment, living hope, The miracle of an alternative reality. We live in the face of mystery, Motivating us, spurring us on. Our future marked by uncertainty, Clouding the air, we feel put upon. What is paradise but a certainty, Our steps forward never to go wrong. Paradise revealed as unveiled mystery, The mind clear, in the sweetness of song. On this side of paradise, we ponder, What do all our struggles mean? In our many travels, we wander, Our sufferings never what they seem. Ponder indeed on another life to come, Is this life all that there will be and is? Surely, we can expect a different outcome, And not that life is just an unending quiz. On this side of paradise we probe, Making our way thru trial and error. Into the other side some already rode, The souls as intended, living forever. - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Saturday 12 May 2023

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on June 25, 2023

IT IS SO FAR BEYOND...GRATIFYING...TO KNOW THAT 'ABSOLUTELY NONE' OF WHAT IS 'SO NECESSARY' TO LIVE ON THIS SIDE OF PARADISE...WILL BE NEEDED ON THE OTHER SIDE. FOR, OVER THERE WE WILL REAP THE REWARD OF; BATTLE WON...'ALL' THINGS OVERCOME...ETERNAL PEACE WITH THE SON. HALLELUJAH AND AMEN! THANKS FOR SHARING.LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS.

Reviewed by Poets Soul

Reviewed on June 3, 2023

I agree, you have to leave paradise to find paradise. This side we know very well. The other side a new adventure with new mysteries to be solved. Hoping that when we leave this paradise we have followed the map correctly.

PS

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Your pondering into what you think is the other side of paradise is unending and really, quite unknown. Yet you try with this poem, taking images from this life that you think might qualify to give you an insight into using clouds as mattresses while you float in the promise of your maker.

I have seen and lived paradise here on earth and know exactly what it is for me. But knowing my circumstance changes as I age, I have come to the conclusion that my house is where my home is, not what I imagine somewhere else. My memories tell me that I have experienced paradise many times throughout my life and have written some of it down as a message to future generations. Happily looking forward to no paradise on the other side. Just a peace of letting go.

Ron.

Reviewed by Richard Cederberg

Hope on display in this fine piece, John. But until we pass from this fallen world over to the other side, we are forced to: "ponder indeed on another life to come." "For now, we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." 1st Corinthians 13:12. Enjoyed this. Thanks. Peace.... r

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

What struck such a positive note in me on reading this was the absolutism of choice in that many swerve to the flotsam of a beach to a sea of tangled synapse-like chaos. Whereas, with a choice of the paradise you emphasize one has the opportunity to truly rejoice in the Paradise "...Paradise revealed as unveiled mystery, The mind clear, in the sweetness of song." To marry passion to the discovered paradise is to know the unknown.