Recollection of the Dying Girl

The excuses fell from her mouth like raindrops,
Saying, “No thank you, I’ve already eaten”
Meaning, “I haven’t eaten in three days”
And nobody noticed when the light in her eyes died out,
She poured empty into her rib cage,
Prayed she would soon be able to count them,
Traded snacks for hipbones,
Sold her soul to her disease,
Gave up healthy for skinny,
Between calories and exercise,
She hadn’t smiled in months,
Constantly counting,
Only seeing the work she would put in later if she dared indulge in breakfast,
Only being happy if the scale brought good news,
Each pound bringing her closer to the life she envisioned,
Hunger pains became her only friends,
As she evaporated,
She became a success story,
When the people asked her how she did it,
She just smiled and thanked them,
Nobody seemed to notice how her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

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Roper Avatar
December 20, 2017 at 11:00 PM
Rebecca,congratulations on your win! Hugs Eve ~`*
Rollins Avatar
December 20, 2017 at 11:03 PM
Thank you!
Williams Avatar
December 20, 2017 at 8:36 AM
Thank you for sharing a story many can relate to, Rebecca. Congrats also on your strong finish with this piece. Best wishes to you. :) Bartholomew
Rollins Avatar
December 20, 2017 at 12:51 PM
Thank you! Best wishes to you too!
Barden Avatar
December 20, 2017 at 12:37 AM
Congratulations on your win, Rebecca - blessings and happy holidays to you and yours! :-)
Rollins Avatar
December 20, 2017 at 12:44 AM
Thank you! Blessings and happy holidays to you as well!
Rodrigues Avatar
December 3, 2016 at 8:37 AM
Wow! So heartbreaking! Very well written! Congrats, Rebecca! 7
Smith Avatar
December 2, 2016 at 11:50 AM
Great write Rebecca, congratulations...
Rollins Avatar
December 2, 2016 at 12:02 PM
Thank you! But what are you congratulating me for?
Cadet Avatar
December 1, 2016 at 10:19 PM
Ms. Rebecca Rollins: Thank you so much for participating in the contest and sharing your work. Congratulations, too! -- Wesley C.
Rollins Avatar
December 3, 2016 at 9:53 AM
Oh wow! Awesome! Thank you!!
Cadet Avatar
December 2, 2016 at 6:47 PM
Hi Rebecca. You submitted your poem in a contest -- Give Me Your Best James Tate (style poem) -- and were placed in the top 15 out of 32 submission (I'm not sure the exact ranking, but you can find out by going to Contest Winners - Status and check it out. -- Wesley C.
Rollins Avatar
December 2, 2016 at 12:00 PM
Thanks! But what are you congratulating me for?
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