Imperfection Poem by Patrick Rylands

Sent back my health - said I didn’t need it
Returned my heart, my soul, my self
“You know, I think I’m better on my own”

And I don’t really want to live forever
In my petty imperfection

Dropped my possessions into the Thames
Said goodbyes to all my friends
Dotted the last full stop on my final letter

You know,
It’s true I don’t really want to live forever

Tell my mother that I love her
And my father that I’d rather
Leave
Than to pursue an imperfection

Anything other than the sublime
Is a crime
I’ll never have the time for

And I don’t want to live forever
In pernicious imperfection