Perfectionism

I was just talking to Cora about perfectionism and how it ruins lives. I speak from experience--a lifetime of experience. I think it came from my constantly doing things to try to earn my parent's love and approval--which never happened BTW.


I wondered if anyone had written any poetry about perfectionism and how it makes a person feel. I goggled, "Perfectionism poetry" and this is the first selection that came up. There may be more of them out there, but when it's perfect, you may as well pick the first one.


As I read the first part of this, it struck me that many of you may not think of me as it is portrayed. However, there have been times in my life when I tried to have every hair in place......... That was before I almost died from putting such pressure on myself 6 years ago.
 

This may sound funny to those of you who don't struggle with choking, crippling perfectionism, but recently I heard that it's like having a bully in your head that you can't ever get away from. I agree and share this poem with you all with the hopes that you will free up perfectionists in your life (maybe even YOU) by starting to talk about it.

God bless,

Dawn

Perfect Imperfection

 

  Melissa Bachara

 

  I am a contradiction

a perfect imperfection

On looking in from outside

I think I’d pass inspection

 

My nails are neat, each hair in place

My clothes the latest styles

But look a little closer,

And you can see my trials

 

The window to my balanced soul

Is stained from too much smoke

A birds eye view down at my heart

Will clearly show it’s broke

 

My best intentions lead to pain

And complicated messes

My head is filled with wishes,

My decisions second guesses

 

There was a time I tried to hide

each wrinkle, scar and tear

But I’m learning to appreciate

That I’m more than I appear

 

Each wrinkle tells a story

The path from there to here

I’ve earned a little wisdom

With every falling tear

 

My soul will soar in brilliant skies

But then I’ll need to rest

The embers of my passion

Still smolder in my chest

 

Perhaps I’ll let my hair go wild

And skip the manicure

I’ll wear my favorite color

They’ll say "Hey, look at her"

 

My hair, my heart, my clothes, my soul

Will walk in one direction

No longer contradicting

My perfect imperfection

 

This 'perfect' poem was posted in our Poetry Forum on July 12, 2005. Melissa is a freelance writer and graphic designer living in the United States.