perfect
is a silly word

it’s a downright ridiculous word

for the love of all that’s real
and fantastic

for the sake of every flawed and gorgeous thing
lavishly pouring out beauty
into this world

get thee behind me, “perfect”

you
ruin
much

but like so many
boneheaded ideals
“perfect” gains a lot
in practical
everyday use

in which the perfect
is wide
and merely wonderful
and makes room for
so many possibilities

(not just one thing
which really
is no thing)

in the land of the actual humans
you can receive four perfect gifts
at the same birthday party
(and i hope that you do)

and you can sink into the soft embrace
of the end
of a perfect day
still gently buzzed
by the sweet and savory anticipation
of an even better one to come