Perfectness

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

             All perfect things are saddening in effect.          The autumn wood robed in its scarlet clothes,          The matchless tinting on the royal rose              Whose velvet leaf by no least flaw is flecked,              Love's supreme moment, when the soul unchecked          Soars high as heaven, and its best rapture knows -          These hold a deeper pathos than our woes,              Since they leave nothing better to expect.              Resistless change, when powerless to improve,          Can only mar. The gold will pale to gray;          Nothing remains tomorrow as to-day;              The lose will not seem quite so fait, and love          Must find its measures of delight made less.          Ah, how imperfect is all Perfectness!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem grapples with the paradox of perfection and the inevitability of change, presenting a melancholic reflection on beauty and its transient nature. The speaker explores various aspects of perfection - the autumnal forest in full bloom, the flawless rose, and the pinnacle of love - and posits that these instances of perfection hold a profound sadness because they mark the zenith, leaving nothing better to anticipate.

The poem's tone is deeply contemplative, underscored by a sense of sorrow and resignation. The structure, consistent in its rhyme scheme and meter, symbolizes the unchanging nature of the theme it discusses - the constancy of change. The use of rich imagery and vibrant colors - 'scarlet clothes', 'royal rose' - not only paints a vivid picture but also conveys the magnificence of the perfect moments. The metaphor of gold paling to gray is particularly striking, encapsulating the poem's central theme of fading beauty. The speaker concludes by encapsulating the central paradox: 'Ah, how imperfect is all Perfectness!' This powerful oxymoronic statement leaves the reader with a poignant insight into the fleeting nature of perfection.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.


Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.