Arry

Imperfectly Perfectly

by Arry

Sunday 27th September 2026 1:13 am (first posted Thursday 24th September 2026 9:32 am)

I pick up my pen,
and I start to write.
The words do not fit
quite perfectly right.

A smudge on the paper,
a line going wrong,
a rhythm that trips
in the middle of song.

But I am a human,
not made of machine.
I mix up my words,
and I say what I mean.

My lines have some cracks,
my letters may bend,
but each little flaw
is a helper, a friend.

I stumble, I learn,
I try and I test.
My messy, true self
is always my best.

So look at my pages,
the dark and the bright.
I am only human,
imperfectly right.

🌷(4)

◄ My Faith in Three in One (3 in 1)

Commments

Arry

Sat 3rd Oct 2026 20:43

@leonides Sir, that was awesome! I like learning from a real poet! 😍 You remind me of my late poet. Thanks for another input, really appreciated 👍.

leonidas

Sat 3rd Oct 2026 10:39

Hi Arry,
The theme or sentiment in your poem actually has precedents in history-especially that of "apologia" whereby the poet apologises to his patron/muse or object of admiration with their good intent but recognises their verse might not be sufficiently good enough to secure their merit. A good example of the presence of imperfection leading to a positive outcome is of course that piece of grit (imperfection) in an oyster clam that over time becomes a shining, luminescent pearl (physical perfection):

Perhaps these words are then
Some sorry compensation for
The errors of existence,
The mortal errors born of fear?
This cankered grit that irritates
Mine eye might then in time
Become some heavenly pearl?
And that sole, shining pearl become
Some clear, undying tear?

During the 16th century (the Renaissance), poets frequently explored the theme of imperfection. Instead of chasing unattainable medieval ideals, Renaissance writers focused on human flaws, the ravages of time, and the beauty found in a flawed reality. Here are notable 16th-century poems that feature imperfection, grouped by their specific themes:
Flawed Love and Physical Imperfection:

• "Sonnet 130" by William Shakespeare (published 1609, written late 16th century)
• The Premise: This is the ultimate poem about embracing imperfection. Shakespeare deliberately subverts the idealized courtly love poetry of his era.
• The Imperfection: He notes that his mistress's eyes "are nothing like the sun," her breath "reeks," and her hair is like "black wires." Yet, he concludes that her flawed, earthly reality makes his love far more genuine than any fake ideal. In fact he hopes his words will in time memorialise her. Being human is a start but not the final destination.

kind regards,
leonidas

Arry

Fri 2nd Oct 2026 16:19

@leonidas This was a wonderful read. It takes courage to put your thoughts into words, and I'm so glad you let me read it.
Long live Sir!
God bless. 🌷

leonidas

Mon 28th Sep 2026 10:45

I would add:
Life without speech is what gives rise to speech
For I have tasted sweet life’s sweet and bitter fruits
In idle hours I have indulged but yet repaired
In days of earnest sole endeavour to enrich the crudest stone
With some light-lustred pearl or polished tone
Like some shining diamond sparkling bright.

"I have crossed an ocean,
I have lost my tongue;
From the root of the old one
A new one has sprung.

Best wishes Arry,
leonidas

Arry

Sun 27th Sep 2026 01:12

Sir Flyntland and Sir Stephen, Thank you for your kind words; they brought a smile to my face even while I was crying. I truly appreciate everyone who takes the time to read and comment. I don't get offended easily. Both good and bad feedback are essential for anyone trying to write, even when the words don't seem to cooperate. 😉

Arry

Sun 27th Sep 2026 01:05

Sir Leonidas, Thank you for your valuable insight. I completely accept your correction and genuinely appreciate the critique.
You make a fair point about the difference between human emotion and poetic competence. Far from being offended, I value the experience you bring from UK workshops and live audiences. Your perspective on striving for excellence makes total sense.
In fact, your analysis of the paradox has inspired me to change the title of my poem to the exact phrasing you suggested. Thank you for helping me reorient my work and push past the flaws to make it truly resonate. 👍

Flyntland

Sat 26th Sep 2026 13:51

Oh dear. Just a little research would have told you that Arry is not a man.

leonidas

Sat 26th Sep 2026 12:26

Criticism of poetry need not become a negative experience; on the contrary it can have positive outcomes. I can appreciate the inherent conceit of this poem, the paradoxical nature of its theme of “Perfectly Imperfect” or conversely “Imperfectly Perfect”, which ostensibly means the same thing ie: “within perfection resides a trace of imperfection”, and accepting that premise actually makes one “human”, but I have argued that just being human does not qualify you as a poet! Those who have taken offence at my remarks have misunderstood my basic argument. In effect instinctively rallying to the poet’s defence by taking offence at the slightest remark. This type of reaction in itself highlights the fallibility of being human, which is the acceptance of one’s own and other’s obvious imperfections.

The question is has Arry been offended in any way by my comment? Only she can say...

However, when it comes to poetry per se I would prefer that a poet should strive for excellence or display a degree of competence before putting pen to paper. In this case imperfections in poesy are understandable, yet in the final analysis intolerable. All too often a person literally wakes up in the morning and decides to put their thoughts and feelings into some form of poetry, regardless of any other issue.

Before I started writing poetry I had already studied and read quite a lot, and when it came to write poetry I joined several poetry workshops in a variety of towns in the UK. I soon realised that what I thought was acceptable poetry was in reality flawed and inadequate and in need of reorientation and a degree of circumspection. I was also exposed to a degree of criticism and analysis myself that eventually led me down the route of determining what actually makes poetry work, and how it works to the benefit of the poet and an audience. I discovered when I undertook to perform my poetry to a live audience that they were extremely unforgiving, and were not reluctant to voice their disagreement! In other words exposure to criticism as a poet has positive outcomes. I have since written extensively in an article that has been reviewed and judged as being of interest useful to thousands of aspiring poets.

Poetry Analysis In the 21st Century:
An analysis of poetry and its ultimate meaning in genres from the 16th to the modern contemporary forms.
https://www.academia.edu/128962298/Poetry_Analysis_In_The_21st_Century

I'd like to apologise to Arry for mistaking her gender..

Stephen Gospage

Fri 25th Sep 2026 08:28

This is well written, Arry, and truly original. A good, human read.

Flyntland

Thu 24th Sep 2026 12:51

Arry - it is good to admit to imperfection; anyone who professes to be perfect is in denial of fact. Keep writing; be true to yourself, as most of us are.

Arry

Thu 24th Sep 2026 11:40

That's a really interesting way to look at it! Thanks for sharing your perspective.

leonidas

Thu 24th Sep 2026 10:54

Being human is simply not enough to qualify you as a poet!

View all comments

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

Please consider supporting us

Donations from our supporters are essential to keep Write Out Loud going

Bringing poetry to people

Click here to donate now