Perfect Love

[rayheinrich]

I agree about chopping the end lines. I'm not sure about "artless" but an allusion to the father figure experiencing some form of  temptation of his own might add texture.

Tiger, can you say more about this? I was confused at first when you said father figure, because the whole trinity thing is a new testament construction. I think that you're saying that this sounds like an abusive parent/child relationship. I was thinking more of a controlling romantic partner.

Yes, it is all those things. I imagined something vulnerable on the dictator's end would add another layer of conflict. I'm having trouble explaining. I'll be back with a more succinct explanation.

I think the vulnerability you were looking for Tiger is in this line:
"I'm not lonely now; I was for so long—"
It isn't in keeping with the usual descriptions of god since he's "perfect and complete
in and of himself". He doesn't need humans, doesn't need worshiping. So why did he
create humanity? "Because it pleased him." Why should we worship him? "Because it
pleases him." It's those emotions that always confuse me. God is magic because he
can have them but not need them.

Your poem, Liz, brings those puzzles out quite nicely.
My only suggestion is that the title is too straightforward, too literal.
I think the rest of the poem implies that for all of us with inquiring minds.
Maybe a title along the lines of perfect love or perfect lover or some such.