Favoring Flaws
I prefer flaws to perfection,
wavy antique glass that warps trees,
people, streets to rolled rectangles
that pass light blandly unaltered.
I’ll take Cleopatra’s obelisk nose
over Helen’s wall-burning beauty
any century,
find overbites exciting,
accept the body’s asymmetrical stance
as balanced,
can feel the planet wobble
as it spins through space.
Those I love I love
because of their flaws
not despite them,
intentional imperfections woven
in by native American basket weavers
so the spirits won’t be offended
by something so unnatural,
perfection.
Copyright 2007 by the Tipton Poetry Journal.
All rights remain the exclusive property of the individual poet and may not be used without their permission.