My Squishy Tummy

A rebellion against the pressures and expectations thrust upon women by the media.

Standing in front of the mirror, contemplative and incredulous,

I lift the hem of my shirt and tuck it beneath my bra.

Turning to the right, then to the left,

I stare at the silhouette of my squishy tummy.

Been hearing things…confounding things.

A little bird, with baleful eyes and a reviling tongue,

has been spreading insidious lies,

telling anyone who will listen, something is wrong with my lovely tummy.

How can that be?

The arc of my back,

accentuating the curve of my body.

The subtle swell of my stomach,

like the archers bow.

Flesh the color of succulent peaches,

soft as the lily’s petal.

You’re in my ear, you nasty nefarious creature,

spitting poisonous venom and retching bile

Not good enough…not thin enough…

How dare you.

You are sick,

beguiling and benighted.

Pandering from my insecurities,

trying to convince me I am less than exquisite.

Take your magazines,

filled skewed ideology and revolting distortions.

Take your unrealistic expectations,

starving our girls and filling their eyes with tears of inadequacy.

And you… leave… now.

You are unwelcome and would do well to never return.

Should you not heed my warning, I will be here,

waiting to suffocate your atrocities and eradicate your afflictions.

My squishy tummy and I, we will not stand for it.

Your voice will not be the only one.

 

Reviews

[Judy Ponceby]

Cara, I enjoyed this write very much. You show well how we women can let our insecurities rule us, and recognize what we do to our young women as a society through our media, making them feel inadequate because their bodies are not as perfect as the magazine altered images they see as what is ideal. Your appreciation of yourself shines through, and your strength in denying the inner demon that tells many of us we are not good enough because of a particular shape is inspiring. Thank you for writing so eloquently on a topic much needing attention.