Aiming for Perfection (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Aiming for Perfection
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Friday, September 9, 2022 Rated "G" by the Author.

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-- AIMING FOR PERFECTION – John Herlihy We humans are not perfect. We will never be perfect. Only imperfect in this world, This life fraught by imperfection. But this does not preclude, Our seeking, aiming for perfection. Ah, the secret, the intimacy of perfection, A mythic story that for us isn’t true . The smiling face of a violet, Its purple petals drenched in dew. Its head turning in the wind, Seeking light of the world – perfection. Deep within the heart of perfection, Pulsating with breath and spirit. Lies the vision of purity, beauty, bliss, Fulfillment of every human aspiration. Enough that perfection as a goal lies within, Within and at least not beyond our reach. A state of being that we hope to achieve, Binding together outer, inner, infinite space. Worthy of desire, yet impossible to possess, Reputation and honor, yet imperfection of soul. The one thing we truly want is what we lack, Imperfection the hallmark of the human state. Our weaknesses tell us we have more to add. Our perfection tells us there is nothing to add. Our imperfection tells us something to remove. Our perfection would tell us nothing to remove. In all aspects of our lives, we are unfinished, Striving for perfection – in this life never to have. But that precludes not the desire for perfection, That’s why the perfection of nature serve as salve. Imperfections in pearls belie the perfection of a shell. Sharpness of the thorn bespeaks perfection of the rose. Perfection of the storm found in its aftermath, a rainbow. In the extreme death of winter lies its unique perfection. In this tireless pursuit of an unattainable perfection, I revel, This endless pounding on an old piano seeking melody. We live in shadow of moonlight under the perfection of stars. These steps along the road never tire, seeking perfection. - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Saturday 13 August 2022

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on September 27, 2022

I GET WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM, MY FRIEND AND I CAN ONLY SAY WHAT THE WORD OF GOD IMPLIES; 'PERFECTION' CANNOT BE ATTAINED IN A PLACE(EARTH) WHERE 'IMPERFECTION' IS SO PROFUSE. OUR GOAL HERE IS SIMPLY TO 'HONESTLY TRY' AND NEVER TIRE(THRU FAITH)... OF 'REACHING' FOR THAT HIGH CALLING(PERFECTION), TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY! THUS, THERE ARE LAWS THAT COULD NOT/CANNOT BE KEPT, FOR WHICH THE SACRIFICAL BLOOD OF THE LAMB ATONED ...ONCE AND FOR ALL ON CALVARY. SO THEN, WE PRESS-ON, THRU THE POWER OF ALMIGHTY GOD, PURSUING OUR REWARD(OUR CROWN)THAT CANNOT BE ATTAINED HERE...BUT IN THAT ETERNAL SPOTLESS PLACE(NEW HEAVEN & EARTH)WHICH HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE...AIMING FOR PERFECTION. GREAT IN-SIGHT, ENJOYED. LOVE,BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Diana Legun

Reviewed on September 10, 2022

Hefty topic and surely handled with bioptic vision. I like the last stanza�s reveal of unattainable perfection pounding on the old piano, which to me is perfection itself! Stanza 7 is wonderful*. But the all-time best line to me is: �In all aspects of our lives, we are unfinished.� I just love that. ~~ djl

Reviewed by Poets Soul

Reviewed on September 9, 2022

Well let me know if you ever find perfection. Your poetry does come close I will have to admit. Another fine read.

PS

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

As your poem stresses, striving for perfection or demanding perfection in oneself is self-defeating. I've always encouraged those around me to be Progressionists, not perfectionists. Sanity last longer that way.