You told me “perfect is the enemy of good.”

Ha—isn’t that ironic?

That something so desirable,

Something so encouraged,

Is the “something” hindering my success.

I’ve always thought society glorified Perfect,

She’s the diamond of the season.

She’s the pearl of the oyster.

But now you’re saying Perfect is my foe?

She’s the antonym of exceptional?

She’s the opponent of marvelous?

I don’t agree… until I do.

You told me “perfect is the enemy of good.”

Ha—What if I told you “Perfect” is my carrot on a stick?

Perfect motivates me, galvanizes me, inspires me.

She’s not my enemy. She’s my challenger.

But sometimes, Perfect debilitates me, too.

Though, I’ve tried to ignore her enfeebling traits,

I’ve tried to pretend she was not “the most notable social construct,”

I’ve tried to imagine her as a beautiful woman—

unthreatened by pursed lips and hourglass figures.

You told me “perfect is the enemy of good,”

Ha—do I finally recognize?

I never wanted to be my enemy,

but I wanted to be Perfect.

I do…until I don’t—

For I also want to be human,

with no carrot in view.

I want to balance a glass of water on the middle of a seesaw—

Perfect sitting on the left

and Good sitting on the right.

This poem was published in Philadelphia Stories Junior, a literary magazine that publishes the finest literary fiction, poetry, and art from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware and distributes free of charge to a wide demographic throughout the region. Alanna was honored to be featured on page four of the Spring 2023 edition.