A PORTABLE PARADISE

• A portable paradise

  Indefinite article “A” implies that this is just one version of a “portable paradise” = everyone has their own version.

  Adjective “portable” means it can be moved/carried around

  Noun “Paradise” means a place of great happiness
• “And if i speak of Paradise, then im speaking of my grandmother who told me to carry it“

  Conjunction “and” suggests the poem begins mid sentence/during convo- piece of advice , framed around series of commands. Her advice, and these memories, show how family shapes our identity + connects us to our roots
• “That way they cant steal it”


  Pronoun “they” suggests and unknown , ambigious threat. Lack of connection to community + place = lonilness? Sense of alienation experienced by migrants. Verb “steal” = loss of heritage/taken form them Builds on instruction to keep it ’concealed’
• “And if life puts you under pressure, trace its ridges in your pocket, smell its piney scent on your handkerchief, hum its anthem under your breath”



  Second person = advice for anyone. Life = a struggle- we all need something to support us. Sensory language= a power of memory + heritage, physically transports the mind to a special place. ‘Hum’ = secretive + hidden

  Anthem = motivational + comfort
• shine the lamp on it like the fresh hope of morning, and keep staring at it till you sleep


  Similie= brings inner strength and optimism

  Symbolism of light + morning creates a sense of hope = our paradise can be a source of comfort in difficult times.

  “Sleep“ implies inner peace + calm

  ending on “sleep” suggests that the speaker can finally relax because hes thinking of his paradise
• themes

  family + heritage- wider view

  connection to nature-lines written

  migration- name