Wow Gryphon...you really surprised me with the last stanza! You took this somewhere I wasn't headed at all (I've been reading too much Keats I think, if that's possible)...
I love the way this discourages the iconic worship of the ideal...I thought you were going to point to the fact that the reality is more than sufficient (which ultimately you do)...but the ending leaves a bitter taste...
Am I misreading? Even if I am...this is powerful to me...Thanks, J