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 © Rebecca Rollins | Year Posted 2016
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