PERFECT

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Published in several anthologies

I pray for the will to achieve perfection,

And that is good as far as it goes.

What would I give to avoid error?

What would I pay?  My soul?  My love?

To attain the unstained, mar-free life?

Then I realize by offering up myself

On that strange altar I am imperfect.

Shall I take perfection if offered?

Let me think about it; let me consider

The enormity of the infinite world of the ideal

With no anxiety, no remorse, no hurt;

Without the ability to feel pain.

For when I climb a stair the quickened heart

Flushes my face and when I climb into bed

Feral forces race through my veins.

I pray, plead, beg, supplicate for perfection

But also pray, plead, beg and supplicate

To keep it far outside the dominion of self.

unbound.co.uk/books/flaglers-island