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Tracy Mumford

An illustrated guide on 'How to Be Perfect'

An excerpt 'How to Be Perfect'
One of Ron Padgett's 99 pieces of advice? "Do not give advice."
Used with permission.

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Nobody's perfect — including you — but Ron Padgett's poetic wisdom could be all you need to change that. Human perfection is just 99 steps away.

"Sing, every once in a while," Padgett's poem advises. "Do not practice cannibalism."

"Make eye contact with a tree."

Padgett's poem, "How to Be Perfect," has been re-released by Coffee House Press, and each line is now paired with original illustrations from Jason Novak. Novak's work has been featured in The New Yorker, the Paris Review and other outlets.

Padgett and Novak's unique perspectives wind up and bounce off each other in this collaboration, which streaks through humor, heart and the universal aches of everyday life. An excerpt is below.

Excerpt is used with permission from "How to Be Perfect: An Illustrated Guide" (Coffee House Press, 2016). Copyright © 2016 by Ron Padgett and Jason Novak.

How to Be Perfect How to Be Perfect

Gallery
6 of 6
An excerpt 'How to Be Perfect'
The book comes complete with a bright pink ribbon to mark your place — should you need to find that perfect piece of advice in a rush.
Used with permission.
1 of 6
An excerpt 'How to Be Perfect'
One of Ron Padgett's 99 pieces of advice? "Do not give advice."
Used with permission.
2 of 6
An excerpt 'How to Be Perfect'
Originally published in 2007, Ron Padgett's book "How to Be Perfect" is one of Coffee House Press's best-selling poetry collections.
Used with permission.