Body

I remind myself to love this body whole
Not to separate it into good and bad parts
To love my hands like I love my lips
I used to have beautiful hands
I have beautiful
Hands

To love my breasts that used to feed my son
Breasts that do not stand like before
These breasts are lovely, baby
You want to know them
To hold them up to the sky and shade small towns with them

To love even the flesh that has formed under my chin
Even my stomach that pokes and makes the best pillow for your resting
Even these thighs that wrinkle and mark the path to water
Like braille to thirsty blind men
Are you thirsty

Even my feet when my toenails are not painted
The meat that forms on my back under my bra strap
Like I wear bras anymore
Like a fitted tank won't do fine

I am not a painted woman you know
Victoria can keep all of her secrets
I am busy making my own

I can go months without makeup
My lashes do not curl
My eyebrows are messy
I can go years without a man's palms on my waist

I am not afraid of my company
I take myself shopping
I go to the art supply store and buy canvases
I create a new world from nothing

I am a woman
Do not call me a girl
I am a woman who leaves
A woman who wears her own last name

I will sit with you
I will twist your hair to lock all of my magic
Are you afraid of my spells

I remind myself to love this body
All of its curves and changes
Like seasons
Like mountains like lakes
Do you like lakes
Can you swim

I am a careful woman these days
This cargo too precious for just any bag handler
For just any somebody
What kind of somebody
Are you