Maia Mayor, an established member of Get Lit, a non-profit created to increase literacy and promote the power of spoken word poetry, is a fantastic writer, performer, teacher and poet. One of her most prolific and moving works is her spoken word poem “Perfect”, which is performed as a rant by an authority figure, most likely a parent or older sibling, belittling the protagonist and reminding them just how far they are from perfect.

“You’re ruining your teeth like you’re ruining your life.

My teeth are perfect. Clean and pristine.

They gleam like the golden halo above my perfectly conditioned head.

I don’t need sugar, Maia.

I am above sugar.”

This stanza reflects the concept of living in your parents’ shadow and never being enough for them, a fear that many adolescents experience. Living up to your family’s standards is nearly impossible and often takes a toll on mental health, fostering unwarranted self-deprecation and hatred within people. This is especially true among adolescents who are still trying to find a sense of identity. Without proper support, this becomes even more difficult to develop. This theme is continued within the following stanza in the poem:

“You need to pay more attention, Maia.

Stop daydreaming, Maia.

Stop staring at the ceiling as if your one redeeming quality lies hidden in the plaster.”

This speaks to a vicious cycle of trying your best, only to be met with criticism and disheartened to the point of giving up. This one bar stayed with me for months, resonating with my fear of failure that overrides my passion to pursue my interests. Growing up in an environment where children are encouraged to explore their interests and persevere in the face of adversity is deeply important to one’s development. Perfection is unattainable but unfortunately, it often is in the eyes of authority.

“Why are you down here, Maia?

Why are you down here when you need to be up here?

Up here with the ones who have a promising career

Who listen when information goes in one ear

and doesn’t come out the other.

You’ll never be up here, Maia.”

I believe that this stanza effectively captures the essence of the poem. Although this line is spoken to the protagonist, these words, when heard enough, often become an internal dialogue. Encouragement and support are vital to self-confidence and success. However, while support from others is important, having faith in yourself is even more so. Maia Mayor is a beautiful writer and powerful speaker who is a force to be reckoned with. Her work is thought-provoking beyond measure, and this poem is no exception. In fact, this is the poem that singlehandedly inspired my love of poetry as a whole.

Learn more about Maia Mayor here

Listen to “Perfect” here: https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/perfect-160/

Contributing author: Sophie Wagner