A Slice of Paradise

Nestled in verdant woods on a hilly terrain, The sequestered chapel stood, tranquil was the place With a calm drowning the hubbub around With blooming plants adorning the encircling space Gently moved to that well protected chapel Tip toeing through the arch entrance Entered and knelt down before the holy altar The serenity there overpowering all my sufferance Inside was nothing of grandeur to arrest the eyes, Save a simple crucifix hung on the wall, And a statue of Mary and Joseph at the side With empty wooden benches lying in the hall As I stood in humility with folded hands, Nothing did I see, but a gentle whisper heard, Suffusing me with feelings, delicate and beatific And within me a strange sensation stirred A riot of colors and gorgeous spires emerged, And legions of angels gently falling in line I saw winged seraphs with bugles in hands, Singing hymns on end in lovely notes divine How long did I bury my (self) in that blissful state? Or was it a moment when time refused to budge? Before me, I saw a slice of paradise unveiled, A scene even a heretic would begrudge. In the stillness, the song of birds from surrounding woods, Sifted down through the murmur of wafting wind Pleasant was the sensation that replenished the soul Deep it was fanning all anxieties away from the mind Sucked to the fill, the peace that exuded. Lay afloat in the joy that welled. It was a feel far too deep for words. More appeasing than all the riches of this world, Like a child cuddled in sweet embrace, I felt sheltered from all storms and gale. Trapping that celestial feel, and wrapped in grace, Came out from that quiet place, calm and hale Into a busy boisterous world, with a wise spiritual insight To be a never dying wellspring with resurgent waters of love For many to drink to their fill and appease their thirst And become a symbol of peace like an olive bearing dove Placed First 12- December, 2021 Beatitude Rhyming Poem- Poetry Contest Sponsor- Beata Augustin Resubmitted for A Spiritual Wisdom Downloaded Poetry Contest. Sponsor - Unseeking Seeker