Poems of Madison Cawein Vol. 3 — Imperfection

IMPERFECTION

Not as the eye hath seen shall we behold Romance and beauty when we’ve passed away;

That robed the dull facts of the intimate day In life’s wild raiment of unusual gold: Not as the ear hath heard shall we be told, Hereafter, myth and legend once that lay Warm at the heart of Nature, clothing clay In attributes of no material mold.

These were imperfect of necessity, That wrought through imperfection for far ends Of perfectness--as calm philosophy, Teaching a child, from his high heaven descends To earth’s familiar things; informingly Vesting his thoughts in that it comprehends.