perfect in the distance

she was perfect in the distance
and i wanted to see her
so i took
one
     step
          closer

and i noticed the way her ankles rolled
in when she walked

she was perfect in the distance
and i wanted to meet her
so i took
one
     step
          closer

and i noticed a smudge of lipstick
on her nose

she was perfect in the distance
and i wanted to greet her
so i took
one
     step
          closer

and i noticed a little bald spot
on the back of her head

she was perfect in the distance
and i wanted to know her
so i took
one
     step
          closer

and i noticed a little red spot
on her chin

she was perfect in the distance
and i wanted to befriend her
so i took
one
     step
          closer

and i noticed a little roll of fat
spilling over her belt

she was perfect in the distance
and i wanted to like her
so i took
one
     step
          closer

and i noticed that her eyes
were red and sore

she was perfect in the distance
and i wanted to kiss her
so i took
one
     step
          closer

and i noticed her lips
trembled and bled

she was perfect in the distance
and i wanted to love her
so i took
one
     step
          closer

and i noticed the scars between her breasts
and along her wrists

she was perfect in the distance
and now she looked at me
like she needed me, desperately

but i took
eight
          steps
                    back

because she was perfect in the distance
and from a distance was the only way i loved her.