The Paradise Paradox Poem by Alex Lane

Its taken far too long
And every life I made
Has broken up and gone
Down the river into the shade
I used to be a strong man
I held open Heaven's gates
They said I was a good man
But for me it was too late

Now this is all I have
It's my choice alone
We embark
We embark onto greater plains
As time ticks forward
And it starts to rain

With my deepest breath
I say that I can't love
That was the hardest death
I suffered from above
I used to be a brave man
But now I can't be shoved
I used to be a good man
My goodness was not enough

Now this is all I have
This choice is mine alone
Speak your words of wisdom
While I throw back this stone

'Bring out the light, send back the scrolls!
We will give you our love, but not our souls!
For thine is the kingdom
The victim and the mercy
Forever and ever
Amen.'

I've forced open pearly gates
In a chance to catch one gaze
That I may be redeemed
And leave this wretched dream
Now I have Paradise
Burned into my eyes
I cannot sleep
I never sleep.