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The Burden of Perfection

Common wisdom states no one must take Or receive more than can carry Without pause or delay, a sin to tarry For under that stay, avarice can overtake Yet, I have carried more than my weight Even against advice, even contrary I forgot the limits, forgot to be wary Forgot the honor of my namesake Where falls your footsteps when you stumble Which choice you choose at divergent trails What foresight is lost when you fumble When the burden of perfection fails In the strength of weakness, Samson is humble Permit the meeker grace of mortals prevails. 4/13/18

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John Watt

Date: 4/2/2020 11:37:00 PM

Michelle, I enjoyed your Italian sonnet very much, the line "In the strength of weakness, Samson is humble" struck me the most. Did you write this after reading some Edna St Vincent Millay perhaps? Or Christina Rossetti? Both leaned towards the italian style of sonnet writing. Think you'll try the style again? ~ John

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 4/5/2020 6:51:00 PM

I think it was one of St Edna's (as I call her) - and yes, I am working on a new sonnet now!

Dale Gregory Cozart

Date: 1/3/2019 8:05:00 AM

Very nicely written Italian Sonnet. Wise words indeed.

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 1/3/2019 2:59:00 PM

Thanks for your comment, Dale, glad you like it!

Rob Carmack

Date: 1/2/2019 8:47:00 PM

Impressive. Congrats and thank you for supporting my contest.

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 1/2/2019 10:49:00 PM

Thank you, Rob, I am honored to be included on this impressive list!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 4/14/2018 10:10:00 PM

The title attracted me immediately. Then I found the poem profound, moving. And the last two lines---Perfection Itself! (Oops! Used the wrong word by accident, really. But how can I now write 'Imperfection Itself,' when I don't believe that those two lines could ever be written better)! Bravo, Michelle! :) gw

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 4/15/2018 8:06:00 AM

Thank you, Gershon - I almost titled this "Mortal Graces" but felt "The Burden of Perfection" was more fitting - take care -

Line Gauthier

Date: 4/13/2018 10:41:00 AM

I really enjoyed this poem, Michelle.

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 4/15/2018 8:07:00 AM

So appreciate that, Line!

Christopher Goss

Date: 4/13/2018 9:05:00 AM

Very good.

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 4/15/2018 10:00:00 AM

thank you, christopher!