Pressures of Perfection
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The pen cap clicks down on the metal clipboard.
The harsh light above head blares.
Illuminated. yellow light,
Falling on the skin of the
Already pale beauty.
Careful not to stare,
I glance, quick:
Her bony finger traces.
Outlining the waxy page.
Her eyes filled with want,
Her other hand rests heavily on her stomach.
She pauses a moment, zooming in,
Casting her gaze and catching her breathe
Digging her fingernail into the golden chain
That reveals the diminutive waist
Of the girl on the page.
She pushes hard into her stomach.
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Its society at your door
Sign up, or be out casted.
That extra Cheetos bag?
Throw it out
Or open your arms
To your new life
One with no friends,
No love interests.
One where every glimpse in a mirror will bring you to tears
Pinch this, pull that.
What would I look like I wasn’t so fat?
Maybe he’d see me if I lost five pounds.
I could never wear that.. I’m too fat.
Pin straight hair,
Nonexistent thighs.
Supple skin,
And anorexia.
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Open your eyes to the beauty.
Open your heart to yourself
I swallow my food
How about you?
Smile with each pound
Dance in the rain,
Because your bones are not yet frail enough to stop you