MUSING
CONTENT This poem discusses an eating disorder. Please keep WARNING: this in mind and take care of yourself as you read.
I was young when I lost control in my life At 13 I realized I had something I could control now One meal a day, eat only half The hunger pains will subside, ignore them You have to be small to be pretty That’s what society says That’s what she says
Two feet on a scale Three numbers that will define my day Too high and I’ll starve more Too low and I’ll continue to starve to stay here. To stay pretty To preserve youth To be loved by her
S
s c a l e
The woman who was supposed to love me The comments she made about other bodies What did she think about mine She was a twig but detested herself Should I detest myself as well If she thinks her small frame is atrocious, is mine too?
poetry by
alison pasbrig FALL 2021 | 21
