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Comparisons
by Philippa JaneI stare at side-by-side photos,
studying the width of my body,
the sags and soft armor. I could be
examining two strangers, I think –
never saw myself at my heaviest,
don’t recognize this thinner reflection.
I tell my therapist that the comparisons
make me cry; that my scrutiny
feels like bullying as I search for
sadness or a sign in the eyes
of who I was, who I still am.
Later, I write a letter to myself:
Your brain does not recalibrate when
your body changes shape. You remain,
no matter how much you give
or let someone take. 09/07/2020 Posted on 09/08/2020
Copyright © 2025 Philippa Jane
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 09/09/20 at 01:03 PM Great poem! Thanks for sharing. PS: You might want to change that Explicit rating; you'll get more readers with it off. Voting it as POTD. |
| Posted by Richard Vince on 09/09/20 at 09:23 PM very powerful. "You remain, / no matter how much you give / or let someone take" really hit home for me, as i've spent the last 4+ years trying to rediscover the me that was hiding inside for so long. thank you. |
| Posted by Rob Littler on 09/16/20 at 08:19 AM I remember walking in the house, sitting down in the LazyBoy, closing my eyes gently for a moment, and then waking up 30 years later. |
| Posted by Johanna May on 11/21/20 at 01:32 PM I was gentler to myself after reading your poem. This poem is a gift, thank you for being the medium. |
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