Imperfections

I am a lover of imperfections
Drawn to the rugged arches of
My backyard patio
And the haphazard petunias
In the rough black window boxes.

I do not crave
The neatly manicured lawn
With the perfect robin
Pecking at the perfect worm
Or the ants in their perfect line formation
Trudging diligently to store for the winter.

Rather, I love the clashing colors
Of randomly planted flowers
In zigzag furrows
And the splashing robin
In the bird bath
With the water drops
Going in every which direction
To form stained glass patterns
Against the afternoon sun.
I love the fallen mix and match cushions
On the stone patio floor
A book or two
On the uneven tables
A half-drunk tea cup
With a grain of sugar
Fallen for the spider or the ant
To carry away.

I am a lover of imperfections
Of organized chaos
Of oxymorons
And silly alliterations
Of poetic prose
And life
In all its contradictions
Worn lightly
And slightly frayed
At the seams.

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Kavita Ezekiel

Kavita Ezekiel Mendonca was born and raised in a Jewish family in Mumbai. She was educated in Mumbai, with Masters’ Degrees in English and Education, from India and the U.K. Her career spanned over four decades, teaching English, French and Spanish. Her first book, Family Sunday and Other Poems was published in 1989. Her poems have appeared in various publications. Kavita is the daughter of the late poet, Nissim Ezekiel.