She stands at the mirror, afraid to look and truly see

what this vessel has come to be.

Body image morphed into something untrue

after years of so called lovers, planting self hatred inside of you.

"Skinnny means pretty and pretty means skinny"

This trope she repeats, body left unfed,

down the toilet where she bows her head.

This is not love, she has come to see

through weakness and aches and bruises on knees.

Because I love you, they would say

encouraging the skipping of meals each day.

Broken and left to nothing but bone

those so called loved ones would leave her, 

with skin that never felt like home.

Home is a place where bodies should thrive

Full bellies, happy reflections, no room to scrutinize.

This existing home, she would mold into new

"Because I love me" she would speak until true.

This phrase that once meant hunger and pain

Now keeps me afloat, soaring higher each day.

She stands in the mirror, image no longer contsrued 

Smiling, knowing self hatred she had outgrew.

Nourishing this body, giving proper tending to

ALL the love I shall provide she says,

Because I love you.