"Skinny", she said, "that I'd like to be".
Pulls out the magazine.
"I want to be skinny like her, you see?"
"My thighs, you can't see in between!"
"Fat", she said, "that's what I am."
Pulls on the skin that lies flat on the bone.
"No one will love me like this, no man",
"I'm going to end up all alone."
She sits, no food in front of her at lunch.
Goes running after school.
Hunger calls, asking for something to munch.
She swims lap after lap in the pool.
"I gained a pound" she said one day.
That's silly to think as I look at a hollow ghost.
"You're beautiful" I say.
She said, "But your opinion doesn't matter the most."
My opinion didn't matter, and she wouldn't listen.
No more was the girl she used to be,
She couldn't love what was within,
All because she wanted to be "skinny".
Why do we try to achieve a perfection that does not exist?
She missed eating fries, no doubt.
"Eat this" I said, "I insist".
"You're trying to hurt me!" She'd shout.
I gave up, there was nothing else to do,
She was disappearing before my eyes.
"You don't know you're perfect, do you?"
The last of my tries.
She didn't eat, but the disease ate at her,
Until there was nothing left to see anymore.
She was happier before, I'm sure,
Before she was hollowed to the core.
To anyone who is feeling blue,
And like they are not good enough.
No one can be a better you than you,
Keep your head up high, and be tough.
**The above poem is inspired by an old friend of mine. If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder call the confidential, toll free, hotline now at 1-800-931-2237 and get the help you deserve**
