Improvement

I think it might be better than it was,
But that's hardly a comfort; once before
I thought, or hoped I thought, that in encore
It would improve, but I was wrong, because
The first, when uncorrected, was retained,
And therefore nothing changed. If anything
It was made worse by the familiar ring
Of bad decisions constantly sustained.
I've gone that way myself, of course - we all
Have kept on doing badly once or twice
Because we knew no better. In precise,
Clear terms, then, I pronounce this battle call:
Seek criticism, so you may correct,
And having done so, be the more perfect.