In Praise of Imperfection

You watch in awe as the craftsman matches wood to wood
in perfect alignment, careful of the details,
every line of bent wood held just so, held in place,
no dovetails needed, simply a steady hand
and the patience to accomplish perfection
in this one thing.

You are not made for perfection, Your hands waver,
the lack of one eye has everything just out of perspective.
Try as you might the fine handiwork eludes you,
no matter your patience or will, the things you make
look like first year shop by a first year student.

No matter, an accceptace of imperfection has benefited you
in ways fine crafts do not. You are more patient with yourself,
and more importantly, with others, hoping that gentleness
will have value for those as flawed as you are,
and perhaps, less happy.

About this poem

I am blessed with people who are patient with my imperfection, be it with handwork or mindwork,

The picture was taken at Hancock Shaker Village in Mass.

Tom