About the Book

Absolute bliss inspired by
nature in the Northwest Oregon
Grace Lim



The poetry musings in this book verbalize my brave yearnings for absolute bliss. These yearnings have heightened my sense of adventure for the fun places that I have discovered along the trails of northwest Oregon. The trails can be long or short, narrow or wide, remote or urban, sophisticated or simple. My gut instinct has urged me to bring these adventures home and to write them down; and somehow I found, in a small corner of my heart, the words to complete my thoughts and convey my sentiments.


Some calm senses sneak into my heart and persevere; and my heart lets its guard down while I’m composing my writings. In order to make room for these writings, I had to let go of my surly sense of insecurity, confusion and timidity. The estimable words naturally evolved into poetry with rhythmic tones, startling me at first; but then I conceded the birth of their existence because of the inner peace I feel when I’m surrounded by nature. No one can alter nature; one can only surrender to it.


The natural variations in colors and changes in character throughout the four seasons sustain the beauty of various physiographical features. I am mimicking the propagation and denudation of trees, weeds, wildflowers, bees and birds; and each spell of change begins with each new season. These inspired moments and unique epiphanies are all echoed in The Trails of Bliss.



Preface



There are seventy-seven poems and photographs featured in this book. My intention in combining poetry with photographs is to bring blissful words together with the beautiful images that I discovered on the trails of northwest Oregon. As you travel through the pages of this book, you will hear challenging voices on how my life was plunged and restored to blissful harmony.


Bliss can be found all around you, and astonishing marvels will begin to flood your life the closer you get to nature – the mesmerizing mountains, twisting rivers, singing trees, dancing leaves, roaring beasts and mushrooming fungi in the wilderness … there came a time when a pliable but tenacious life force made the marvels in nature increasingly indubitable and amazing. The more you embrace these marvels, the more you’ll come to an awareness that the cyclical aspect of the seasons one witnesses in nature has a magnificence and glorious power to keep life in equilibrium.


The wisdom of true bliss is beyond words and is everywhere; this wisdom is ready for you to pick up and place in the basket of your life as you travel along the trails.