For years I watched
The excitement on your face
As you scooped a bowl of
Ice cream every evening
I forever hold the stains
Of all your favored foods
From the celebratory hours
And moments of grief
Although no matter the occasion
I sat snug around your stomach
Strained around your shoulders
And felt the happiness
That consumed you
Until one day your breakfast
Turned to morning runs
Lunch with your girlfriends
Was replaced with schoolwork
Your love for cookies shifted
To a love for cooking
Providing for anyone and everyone
Though never yourself
Your presence beside the oven
Was your only disguise
Oblivion among all except I
During family dinner I now
Hung loosely from your shoulders
Hearing your hollow stomach
Beg and cry
You cut your food
Into great capacity
And would nudge them to the side
To appear as nothing more than
The scraps of the food that guilt's you
Subsequent your dinner we make
Our customary trip to the bathroom
Where I become forced
To press against the loo
Listening to the treacherous noise
That you believe
Is making you beautiful
And trying your best
To muffle the sounds
By running the faucet
But with each tummy rumble
And tummy grumble I hear
You believe you are becoming
Your superior self
When in reality you are
Dismantling the happy girl
Who used to squeeze inside
This size small shirt
Into the tired stranger who now
Floats inside my seams
With each pound
Leaves another past enjoyment
Another childhood friend
And another piece of precious life
All fading like a distant memory
Favorite T-Shirt
By, Eva Kuchinsky