AnElephantCant ever stop dreaming
He can’t keep the smile from his eyes
For what it is worth
He knows here on earth
Is where we can find Paradise
The Ligo Haibun Challenge is a weekly event hosted by the wonderful Nightlake and the swash-buckling Pirate.
Visit them for all the guidelines and background.
This week AnElephant chooses the single word prompt Paradise.
San Francisco, Mediterranean Sea, PS Waverley on River Clyde
Paradise
I have been to Paradise.
It is a small town in Provence, on the French Riviera, where I bask even now in glorious sunshine on beaches washed by the sparkling Mediterranean, that most seductive of the world’s great seas.
It is populated with palm trees and parasol pines and carpeted in flowers of every hue, upon which butterflies dance in scented bliss.
I have been to Paradise.
It is a paddle steamer on the River Clyde, travelling westward out of Glasgow.
Countless times I have followed my young leader downstairs to the open engine room to gaze in awe at the mighty pistons which power the paddles, before once again climbing to the top deck to view the bridges and bens, the giant cranes from the long ago era of ship-building, and the vast sea lochs with their grey waves restless beneath the brisk Scottish westerly winds.
I have been to Paradise.
It is San Francisco in December, a city on a bay with the most magnificent bridge built by man.
I have taken a boat across that bay to the notorious prison to see and hear its grim history.
I have walked through the park at Fort Mason and wondered at the beauties of the Exploratorium.
I have taken a magic cable car and, metaphorically, worn flowers in my hair.
I have been often to Paradise.
I carry it deep within my heart for when my soul needs to visit again.
Paradise
is not a place
but a state of mind
Sound Bite Fiction 
Thank you for your visit to my haibun. Paradise is indeed a state of mind. My little yard, with the stone bench under the willow beside the creek where otter, fish and duck swim…and the great blue heron visits…
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really love these types of paradise – one we can have whenever we want a getaway. lovely haibun. ♥
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Happy you enjoyed and realised the truth of where it rests, deep in our hearts.
Thank you.
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Lovely haibun – I fancy a look at that steamer’s engine now. Such a simple and true haiku.
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Thank you.
And the Waverley’s engines are an absolute joy to behold!
AnElephant has videos of them!
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Nicely done. Lovely images always there for the remembering.
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Thank you, so happy you enjoyed it.
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I agree and I also agree with Anja. So which takes precedence … I wonder (with reference to paradise) the location or the state of mind and how much is either one dependent on the other? An excellent haibun and haiku, thank you, my friend! 🙂 xo
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Those of us who have been there understand that it requires both the heart and the mind to experience paradise, don’t you think?
Thank you for your kind words, from you they mean everything.
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Thanks for taking me to paradise! Very enjoyable.
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You are always welcome to join AnElephant in paradise.
Thank you.
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I love that and so agree with you that paradise is here if only we allow ourselves to see and feel it. 🙂
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Thank you, MBT, AnElephant believes that paradise is in the heart.
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So true. 🙂
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Thank you, sir, AnElephant is happy that you caught his mood.
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🙂
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ow, beautiful.
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Ow, thank you!
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You’ve done it again! Wonderful! Through your ability to capture a scene with your words, I have briefly been transported around the world. I can smell that beautiful scent, I can see those mighty pistons, I can feel the waves beneath the steamer and I am wearing flowers in my hair! Thank you. Agree with your haiku.
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Thank you, again, my sweet friend.
AnElephant is delighted you can relate to his ramblings and happy that you travel with him.
Hugs
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Lovely sir elephant. Beautifully captured
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Glad you enjoyed, mate, and thanks for kind words.
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That’s awesome Mr AnElephant. I like how you did it.
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Thanks, Al, just the way AnElephant sees life!
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What a great way to see it
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Every beauty of nature or man-made outstanding innovation is paradise, isn’t it? The haiku sums it up very well. btw, Penny has also hosted this week’s challenge:)
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Very true words, Nightlake, thank you.
And my apologies to my dear friend Penny, AnElephant is easily confused!
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Yes it’s a state of mind but location can make it better. 🙂
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Oh yes, it is much easier to find paradise in comfort!
But with the right person it is anywhere, even in a cold Scottish winter.
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