Locating the Land of Euphoria - Our Search for True Joy: An Introspective Poem

Locating the Land of Euphoria: Our Search for True Joy

This narrative poem seeks to clear the boundaries between pleasure and true happiness, as a side theme. It sets out to broaden our understanding of happiness as an internal everyday reality in contrast to sensory pleasure that is more of a fleeting illusion. The central idea of the poem lies in understanding the reality, that true joy lies within, in "the golden chasm of the heart", and cannot be searched for outside. It lifts the veil off the myth that happiness can be chased after, as an external pursuit. The more we run for it, the farther it is going to run away from us. Read the simple narrative of a young boy and a girl unfold, as they set out on their individual quests to discover the source of our earthly elixir - true joy. As a measure to introspect, do ask yourself ,"Where is the Land of Euphoria?". Also, notice the irregular rhythm adopted in the poem, in its latter half.

The Land of Euphoria, an idyllic land,

Where the symphony of joy is played; a musical band.

Where the warmth of light is spread; the summer sand.

Intoxicated the air is, intoxicated with peace it is.

The Land of Euphoria, a utopian land,

Where the symphony of joy is played; a musical band.

Where the graceful brook is harked; a river Moon-tanned.

Intoxicated the air is, intoxicated with peace it is.

O maiden Ecstasy! Where do You dwell in this paradise of Yours?

Will I have to hunt for You and wage wars?

I know, You shall never be found,

If I try to look for you all around.

O maiden Ecstasy! Why do You hide Yourself in wafts of air?

You leave humanity to Pain, is it fair?

But I know, it's not Your fault,

Humanity has distanced You, away from the heart's vault.

O Ecstasy! How do You bear a disposition calm, a chased-treasure,

When people mistake You for sensory pleasure?

I know, You desire a strong rope,

To pull humanity out of the well of diluted hope.

In attempts to find You, humanity runs unsuccessful races,

Runs to resorts, clubs, fairs, and other places.

One such tale is of a young girl and a boy,

On their timeless journey to discover You, true joy.

They reach a land of thrill and adventure,
To the Fair, they both venture.

They fix their minds to ride a Ferris Wheel,

A Wheel of Time, A Wheel of Joy, they set out to feel.

A Wheel of Time it is, for time is cyclic and infinite,

And so is joy, undoubtedly infinite.

Infinite, when its true location's known,

Not outside in the sea of humans - strangers unknown.

Enthusiasm at its zenith, the girl finds herself a seat,

The Wheel of infinite Joy begins; the mechanical Wheel gathers heat.

Ecstasy, the maiden, appears to leave her in surprise.

She asks, "The Land of Euphoria is where I reside.

Where do you think such a land is?

Answer wise!" 

"Oh, your Land is invisibly located in this very Ferris Wheel.

I experience joy, that is, I traverse your landscapes when I take THIS RIDE.

You and Your Land certainly have a mysterious external location," the girl replies.

Ecstasy smiles at her,

Plays with her hair,

Tickles her a little,

All the while, maintaining distance,

And, vanishes - disappears her guise.

At Ecstasy's sudden disappearance,

The smile on the girl's face fades towards disappearance.

Her brows wrinkle,

Her mouth cowers in despair,

Her cloud-like eyes shudder,

Shudder, to release droplets of tear,

Every droplet shouting the agony of separation from the dear,

From Ecstasy

And

From the delusion of Her external residence in objects, places, experiences, and people dear.

The Ferris Wheel, the 'infinite' Wheel of joy, has reached its 'finite' limit.

The girl gets down crying, not hesitant to distance herself from the Land of Euphoria with its 'external' limit.

Enthusiasm in equipoise, the boy finds himself a seat,

The Wheel of infinite Joy has already begun; the mechanical wheel hasn't yet gathered heat.

The boy's pleasant disposition

His enriched sense of cheer

Is a great, great feat!

Akin to the Sun's rays at dawn

His skin emanates the glow of gratitude and stability

A great, great feat!

The Wheel of infinite Joy begins; the mechanical wheel gathers heat.

Ecstasy, the maiden, appears to leave the boy unmoved and in no surprise.

She asks, "The Land of Euphoria is where I reside.

Where do you think such a land is?

Answer wise!"

"You and Your Land reside WITHIN ME, in the golden chasm of my heart.

You are forever there, no matter what the external circumstances are.

You dwell within each living entity, just that people sometimes cloud You with other emotions of distress.

You are Your Land certainly have a clear internal location," the boy replies.

Ecstasy displays true ecstasy,

She sits beside him,

To accompany him forever on his journey of sustaining true joy,

Only to leave him the day he looks for Her outside.

Ecstasy hugs the boy, unites with his eternal spirit,

Returns to Her abode - the Land of Euphoria, the truest Spirit.

The Ferris Wheel, the 'infinite' Wheel of Joy, continues its 'infinite' ride, 

Doesn't slow down to stop, goes on to ride.

Her timeless words shall intrigue humanity forever,

"To find my residence, the Land of Euphoria, is YOUR solo quest forever and ever".

Gaurav Chandra Tuli