The Monsters

When we were younger,
we were always afraid of monsters.
They were under the bed and in the shadows
with great big teeth and huge claws.

But we're older now
and know there are different kinds
of monsters.
And they don't lurk in the shadows.

One of them goes by ana.
She sits in the mirror
telling you that you're fat
and need to lose weight.

She sits by you while you eat
saying you shouldn't.
She says only skinny people
deserve to eat.

Mia is ana's best friend.
She stands by the scale
laughing at your weight.
She thinks you're fat, too.

She lets you eat,
unlike ana,
but she makes you,
afterwards, puke it back up.

Another one goes by SI.
He's always sad.
When you look in the mirror,
he tells you you're worthless.

He'll make you feel terrible
then he'll cut you
or scratch you.
Sometimes he'll even burn you.

Monsters don't hide in closets,
under beds, or in shadows anymore.
They're all in our heads
trying to kill us.