the first ring of heaven

paradise seems a place
   of needs
   fulfilled

of wishes swimming
   upstream

a dream where
   sleeping and waking are
   forgotten
   (unless you desire them).

each of us crafts
   our own bubbleshell of
   a paradise

guiding the rudder &
   trimming the sails
   to navigate the stars.

then you yearn for family &
   friends & lovers in
   your paradise

   angels of hope & bone.

bubbles crowd against bubbles
   some burst, all crash
   to holy ground.

the kingdom of breath is a
   lovelier paradise
than any you can ever
   imagine.