I Wish. (A Poem For Two Voices) | Teen Ink

I Wish. (A Poem For Two Voices)

June 7, 2022
By Anonymous

I walk into school. 


                                                                                                        “How’re you this flat?”

                                                                                             “You’re so short for your age.”


Alright.

I can take that.

I go see my family.


                                                                                                               “You’re so boney.”

                                                                                                          “I can see your ribs.”


Oh.

I thought I was safe here.

I go on social media.


                                                                                                                “Eat something.”

                                                                                      “You’re nothing but skin and bone.”


Ok.

That’s it.

I’m so sick of

People commenting

On MY body.


                                                                                                  “It was just a joke, jeeze.”


No.

No it wasn’t.

And you know damn well

That you weren’t

Joking.


                                                                                    “You have no reason to be insecure.”


Well I wouldn’t

If I weren’t taught

That the beauty standard

Is a curvy body.

A flat stomach.

Skinny, but not too skinny.


                                                         We live in a world

                                                            Where young

                                                            Girls and boys

                                                             Are shamed

                                                      For something that they

                                                           Cannot control.

                                                                I wish…


I wish that social media didn’t dictate the meaning of “attractive.”

I wish that society realized that there are infinite ways to be beautiful.

I wish that people would stop being so inconsiderate.

I wish that people would listen to what I have to say.

I wish.


The author's comments:

I wrote this for a project at school, but I'd thought I'd share it with everyone. I wanted to speak on body shaming, something that isn't brought up quite enough. As someone who has gone through enough of this, I wanted to let you know that you are perfect just the way you are :) Don't listen to what other people have to say, cause they're just haters. ALL BODYS ARE BEAUTIFUL AND DIFFERENT!!! <33


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This article has 2 comments.


on Jun. 19 2022 at 11:01 pm
SolMontegroll, Chicago, Illinois
0 articles 0 photos 4 comments
It’s amazing c-lo, so proud of you for writing this and acknowledge this and these problems and also for putting yourself out there and being vulnerable! Love yaaaa<3

on Jun. 14 2022 at 5:11 pm
ColorsOnTheWater BRONZE, Austin, Texas
1 article 0 photos 17 comments

Favorite Quote:
He's not a tame lion - C.S. Lewis

Love this. I feel the same way. As a guy I'm not pressured to the same standard that you are, but I am still pressured and because I have a mild form of cerebral palsy, I spent a solid 14 years thinking i was worthless. thanks for your reminder that I am not. I need reminders every day.