Not Paradise Poem by moon batchelder

there are palm trees everywhere,
but it's not paradise.

the ocean meets the shore, at least.
that's more than people dare.
their eyes

not meeting as they pass each other
on their way.

the sun still warms the sandy beach;
that more than one could say

about their hearts.
and tho the scent of jasmine
fills the night,

wafting through the air and shared
a mutual delight;

they still
insist this seperatism, there
before my eyes.

there are palm trees everywhere,
but it's not paradise.