If I’m thin, then I’m lovable.

My mom hates her fat body; therefore, I can’t be fat.

My body is not my own.

I hate my stretch marks. 

I hate that no matter how hard I wash and brush and scrub,

I still wear this darkness like a plague. 

My body is my mom’s second chance at love and pride. 

I inherited a burden from my mom, as she did from hers.

I’m wrong. I need to fix me. 

***

If I’m fat, then I’m lovable. 

My mom hates her body; therefore, I must love mine. 

My body is my own and only my own.

My stretch marks paint the story of my unique existence. 

I love that no matter how hard I wash and brush and scrub,

I still wear this darkness like a pearl.  

It’s up to my mom to recover love and pride. 

I inherited beauty in all forms. 

I’m okay. I was never broken, so there’s nothing to fix.