What's On the Cover

What's on the Cover by Amy Swanson "Fat, fat, the water rat," the other children said - and she could never after get that phrase out of her head. Little girl would anxiously await the time for play, praying silently that they would not tease her today. Every recess was the same and each day she would cry, at times she felt so hideous she wanted to just die. She had to work three times as hard to lose a little weight while others could eat anything that sat upon their plate. She grew into her teen years all too quickly she found out that if her food did not stay down no longer she'd be stout. She knew that this was not the way, a miserable eating plan; but it made the teasing stop, she even met a man. She kept her secret very well continued it for years while going through life's motions, hid behind her silent tears. Folks would say "You're beautiful," but if they only knew just what it took to stay that way they'd have a different view. Life goes on, and time went by no matter how she tried she never felt like she belonged sometimes she sat and cried. Society cares far too much for lust of lovely things, And those that don't like what they see will quickly clip the wings of someone else who won't conform to this world's shape and image. It matters not, their brains or heart, it's more about the visage. She raised her head and looked into the mirror, with wet eyes she shook her head and suddenly she came to realize she was as good as anyone with so much love to give - she'd died inside, a slave to scales she now wanted to live. She splashed cool water on her face and made a solemn vow today would be a fresh new start beginning here and now. This is not just one girl's story many share her tale; warnings of bulimia oft met with no avail. If only we could look beyond the flesh of one another; True value based on what's inside, not what's on the cover.