Celebrating the third anniversary of The Inspired Word, a unique performance series for all creative folk.
Tag Archives: weight
you are yellow like that dandelion
I think you’re okay with your dandelion yellow braids that measure in miles down your back and huddled over your shoulders. I tried not to let you notice me counting them so I lost track at thirty.
I think you’re okay because while your friends were judging another because her teeth are too crooked and her weave is wicked, you said:
Why do you have to be so mean?
And before you spoke, I watched your mouth. Your lips moving in and out, popping breaths, waiting for the right moment to cut them up with your question.
Weeks earlier, I was sitting across from two young girls on the 3 train and I could hear them whispering about me. Without letting them notice me notice them, I could hear bits and pieces of their judgements. My hair (kind of frizzy. weird color). My jacket (all ripped up). My face (ugly).
But you: yellow dandelion braids and large green sweater knitted past your knees…
you made an effort to question the need for meanness.
Why must we notice the stains in someone’s shirt before the vibrant color wrapped around that smudge?
Why must we focus on someone’s weight (too fat/ too thin) when we have no idea the history of their skin and bones and health and need to be or hesitance to be that way?
Why must we be so afraid of the man on the bus who screams out words when maybe this is the only time in his day when he feels listened to?
You with your yellow dandelion braids twisted into your scalp like a tapestry…
I will not judge you for pronouncing the “t” in listen, if you look beyond my crookedness and knotty, stained demeanor.
Because I also notice how eloquent you are.
And if you gave me just a moment, you might notice the same in me.
remove all curtains: breaths are meant to be fatty and uncoiled.
A full-figured tree pushes its belly out at me outside tallest window in Brooklyn. I am gaining weight as though it is an Olympic sport. The threads of my underwear have come undone and each strand has become like a hair tickling my inner thighs. What are these monsters loitering against my chest. You call them breasts; I call them heavy and without wisdom.
Go on. Attach yourself to either one and drain out its mass.
A young woman in my class tells me she prefers being fat. She is far happier without bones scratching against subway seats. I notice the way I have been sucking in my stomach for over two hours and the way that hurts my skin’s feelings.
Breakfast does not have to occur only once in a day. I eat until I get it right. Supper is consumed three times.
When a woman brings me a small box of salted caramels in the late evening, I take small bites. When she is gone, I eat the rest and sleep against the contrast of sweet and salted stains upon my lips.
Let go of my nipples; instead, please bite into my hips. They are far meatier and less confused about whether or not they should really be there.
My diet consists of eating food.
I dream. Last night, I could not lift my face. My legs unlocked themselves from each knee and just stopped agreeing with my steps. My hair dripped fat like slightly undercooked bacon. My shoulders were marshmallow’d. I awoke alone in a bed where my body missed its protective layers. I ate another chocolate.
If I photograph my lunch, will you stop asking me what/if I ate today?
Aimee Herman 