Perfection

Perfection

A Poem by Brett Moore

perfection.


all knees and elbows to the touch

wet like the first time i ran home in thick rain

i was too young to remember to look up

or the soft kiss of love's lips on my skin 

contrasting the burning heat of summer

in the wet woods by the lake at Wolf Creek


i was all elbows and knees

no scars to landmark my history

each piece of patchwork less perfect than the next

no crooked nosed smile or chipped tooth

still months away from Darren Brewer's basement 

and the uppercut that fell heavily on the tail of two miller lights

two birds with one stone cold throw

i fell, stood up, we laughed like children

my mother cried quietly


elbows and knees are familiar with bruises

a kind of uncomfortable familiarity 

that begs concrete mercy in a fall

a simple, heavy memory

a hand on a hot stove

a foot turned the wrong way by a root

i wasn't running from anything

it was the joy of the breeze meeting sweat

that kept me moving

the blood dried, scabbed and healed

my skin holds the memory 


-----------


You never forget the firsts.

The first time you keep on falling,

you don't remember how long or why

you began to fall in the first place.

Was it her smile, framed in dimples?

The way her hands communicate something more than words

when her fingertips rest lightly on the back of your neck?


The first time your intention fails to meet with meaning.

There's a misfire and the white flag can't unfold quick enough 

to satisfy that climbing, chain linked fence fending off apologies.

She's crying and your stomach screams to be forgiven

but words can't make it past the weight sitting on your chest,

so you vomit instead.

Seeking compassion that isn't yet strong enough to climb the fence,

cross that empty field where you wait, flag in hand,

ready to humbly accept the terms of your surrender.


The first time her words fail her.

Brown eyes meet yours and she's begging you to understand 

that she's forgotten how to breath without you.

And the only way she can fall asleep is in your bed

where the bad dreams and days can't find her anymore.

You can feel it in her fragile grip, she's a part of you 

and for the first time, you are not afraid of permanence.


-----------


I will reach the end of days in the firm grip of a lover.

I will feel the simple pains or pleasures, heralded 

by each new ray of sunlight, each new drop of rain.

I will face the inevitable with a veterans confidence,

our fingers tied tightly together.

And whether or not the hand loses strength,

her eyes made a promise that death can't pardon,

if our hearts truly believe in perfection.

© 2017 Brett Moore


Author's Note

Brett Moore
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Featured Review

Oh my....you took my breath away...

I am a believer in true love, romance, and the sheer beauty of imperfections...
The flaws we attain with each "first"....it is so endearing...

Reading this slowly and absorbing every word was not only a beautiful experience, it is also
a reflective journey....intimately woven.

A fantastic write, my friend!!! :)
Into my favorites. ~xoxo~

Posted 10 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.




Reviews

A splendid read and write. Thank you for penning...:).......................

Posted 10 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Congrats on winning a prize from over 120 poems in my poetry contest! This piece really gripped me from the start and continued to intrigue me from stanza to stanza. This poem combines the perfect elements of nostalgia, pure love and raw honesty. I continue to enjoy reading it. Thank you so much for entering it, I absolutely love it.

Maddy

Posted 10 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Oh my....you took my breath away...

I am a believer in true love, romance, and the sheer beauty of imperfections...
The flaws we attain with each "first"....it is so endearing...

Reading this slowly and absorbing every word was not only a beautiful experience, it is also
a reflective journey....intimately woven.

A fantastic write, my friend!!! :)
Into my favorites. ~xoxo~

Posted 10 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Very teaching piece of poetry here. Well done

Posted 10 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

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MAC
wow Brett this is amazing.

Posted 10 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

I was drawn into your poem. I got teary eyed. I felt like I had become the character, the girl, in this poem and my hear raced, sank, and saw beauty.

Wonderful, wonderful poem. I loved it.

Posted 10 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Meliss@k

10 Years Ago

Meant to say Heart*
absolutely gorgeous!

Posted 10 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

I love that you have weaved realism of life into this captivating piece. We all get bruises not only physically but emotionally as well...the scars can be deeply embedded into the soul. I got lost in this heartfelt write. x

Posted 10 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Brett Moore

10 Years Ago

It's funny the way completely unrelated moments connect emotionally as you get older. I really appre.. read more
The imagery in this write is superb, I actually got lost in your words, that doesn't happen all that often, excellence on the page here! Bravo. This one's going on the shelf.

Posted 10 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Brett Moore

10 Years Ago

Thank you so much!
Frieda P

10 Years Ago

My pleasure, I really enjoyed this one.

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1367 Views
23 Reviews
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Shelved in 7 Libraries
Added on May 9, 2013
Last Updated on October 29, 2017

Author

Brett Moore
Brett Moore

Dallas, TX



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