Pain grows in Paradise--
its root is there.
It is the bliss of Paradise
that lays pain bare.
So deep in infernal glades
shines the golden tree
on which the burnished fruit of joy
hangs mockingly.
It is the Tree of Life.
It is the Cross,
on which all living creatures hang
in joy, in loss.
Stretched out on greenly glowing arms
we live, we die,
praising this heaven and earthly tree
on which we lie.
Copyright 2010-2012 Paul Petrie