“Can we talk about your weight?”
What, like how long I had to wait to be taken seriously?
Or to believe that I was worthy of love?
Waiting for my life to begin
because I’d be so pretty
if only
“We need to talk about how much you weigh”
What, like how I weigh in on the politics of this situation?
You, the willowy blond, lecturing me
arming missiles, unaware
Let’s talk about the different ways I learned to hate myself
and live far away from my body all these years
You’re supposed to be a healer,
in the lineage of sacred witches, but
Looks to me like all you learned was the hex
If shame and fear could make me smaller
I would have disappeared by now
This big body grounds me
Belies the notion that women shouldn’t take up space
that I have no right to be here or to be seen
My solid footfalls frighten snakes and thieves
and still I fly
A room full of on-lookers burst into cheers
as this excess of flesh
screamed in ecstasy
Apparently I’m sexy even before anyone finds out
that I’m a
nice
person
Why don’t you ask me:
“What does your wisdom tell you?”
How about trying:
“I see your strength and your good heart –
Do you have a good strong heart for the struggles ahead?”
Why not offer:
“I honor your work in making it this far
And I want to help you feel at home on this earth”
Want to talk to me?
Weigh your words before you open your mouth
And we’ll see who has more substance
