Body-Broken Female

By: Sarah Holbrook

Dear body-broken female that hangs her head at the base of her bathroom sink. Today you will

eat a single meal. Just cover all the bases. A delicious turkey sandwich with sweet pickles and

onion just like when you were little. But wait, body-broken female that waivers above the loaf of

bread, do you need that? Cover most of the bases. Just grab a clementine.

Oh no, body-broken female, grab that magazine instead. Remember how her silhouette casts

such a tiny shadow. Remember how a lady should always look her best. Body-broken female

that pulls at her loose arm fat, you can do better than this.

Sweat is meant to drip, continue working. 5 miles and hardly woozy as you pass triple your

calorie intake. Good job body-broken female, continue working. Another hour passes, and you

can call it a night. Tell your phone to play your favorite song, position yourself into a butterfly

stretch, watch as women strut by with toned legs and a deep tan. Oh body-broken female, ignore

the hunger pains, keep stretching, keep hydrated. How much longer until you're attractive?

Dear body-broken female, it's arrived: swimsuit season. Your little sister tugs at your wrist. She

wishes to get to the pool early, before the rush. Pack the sunscreen, sunglasses, but certainly not

the suit, not today. By the way, we can see the hairband you snap around your wrist when your

stomach burns. Body-broken female that camps out in the shade, it’s too obvious. Try your best
to avoid looking at thinner women, draped in expensive swimwear.

Please notice, body-broken female, there is a figure standing beside the pool that looks just like

you. She waivers, standing, staring in the pools reflection. Look closer as sun rays seamlessly
melt over her complexion. Body-broken female, how unfair the world finds it that you

decompose in self-hatred as life passes you by.