Poetry Tuesday: Practice Makes Perfect

Cover design (and the poem's inspiration!) courtesy of Emily Ecrivaine

In front of the mirror

She primps and she preens,

Her name on the posters,

Her face on the screens,

Hanging out with the "cool" kids,

Who do what she orders,

But when the chips fall,

She has no true supporters.

Over and over, and do it again;

Habits spring out of the time that we spend—

If your life isn't quite what you were expecting,

Practice makes perfect,

So what are you perfecting?

They speak and she listens:

Their advice is her guide;

"It's about what you look like,

Ignore what's inside!"

"Keep up with the fashions,

And wear yourself thin!"

Satisfying the world's passions

Setting out to fit in—

Over and over, and do it again;

Habits spring out of the time that we spend—

If your life isn't quite what you were expecting,

Practice makes perfect,

So what are you perfecting?

It's not a big deal,

Just a drink, just a puff!

She'll know when to stop,

When she's had just enough—

But sooner or later,

To refuse will be tough,

With peers come great pressure,

And quitting is rough.

Over and over, and do it again;

Habits spring out of the time that we spend—

If your life isn't quite what you were expecting,

Practice makes perfect,

So what are you perfecting?

One day she will wake up,

Her dreams have all flown;

And weeds have now sprouted

From the seeds she had sown;

Her life is so empty,

Her future unknown,

In pursuit of perfection,

She perfected ALONE.

Over and over, and do it again;

Habits spring out of the time that we spend—

If your life isn't quite what you were expecting,

Practice makes perfect,

So what are you perfecting?

You don't have to look flawless,

A kind heart will suffice;

You don't have to be known

For your tabloid-grade vice!

Your habits stick with you,

And they come with a price

Since practice makes perfect,

Make your practice precise.

Over and over, and do it again;

Habits spring out of the time that we spend—

If your life isn't quite what you were expecting,

Practice makes perfect,

So what are you perfecting?

©Leslie Conzatti (2014)