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.

[cartera]

poetry as protest. Being an Adonis myself, the issue is not one that bothers me, although I have not looked closely in many mirrors lately. You have let the pen go here. I hope you always will let your pen and mind go.
ATB
Alex.

[Honourfish]

Amazing! written with real passion and meaning, the subject of what is a perfect size is a real issue. To both girls and boys, mainly girls and its very saddening that people are so obsessed with being 'perfect' when 'perfect' is not necessarily perfect.

[MichelleClay]

This is such an inspiring piece. I wish I had read it a few years ago. You write such wonderful descriptions. I could see her standing in front on the mirror and yes there is nothing wrong with her squishy tummy at all. Well done

[Chris]

Cara, this was absolutely fantastic! I am glad you spoke out on this topic. It definitely needs much more attention. It bothers me that so many girls I know go through so many different things just so they can fit the cliche. This "perfect" image that the media forces into our faces day in and day out, its upsetting.
I apologise for my little rant.
Thank you for writing this.

[*]

Excellent poetry with a great message. Your very, very good. Deserving of 100 from me.

[Greg Close]

I wish the squishy tummies had more influence in the media, it would paint a more realistic and healthy ideal of the so-called perfect woman (who shouldn't be defined by her tummy, anyway). A very well-expressed and wry observation! And in your adulation of the squishy tummy, you have some very poetic and even sensuous lines: "Flesh the color of succulent peaches, soft as the lily’s petal" and then really heart-wrenching lines of truth: "starving our girls and filling their eyes with tears of inadequacy."

[Ecnelis]

As a girl wit ha squishy tummy of my own, I have to say this poem just made my day. Due to a bad conversation the terrible bird was cooing in my very own ear today. I had a whole moment, just staring in the mirror thinking "Is it really that bad?"

You have created an anthem for every squishy tummy out there. It is wonderfully written and flows smoothly. I'm in love!

[Antonio Valentino]

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.

Good for you! Outer beauty is so down the line for me, this was fantastic, be proud of who you are.

Antonio :)

[Steve]

This is terrific! I love the message here for our young women......