Image: Praying Human Skeleton
the captive
for Anna Rexia
her body and mind withered to whispers balance
on the edge of collapse hollowed out shadowed
by her hunger to vanish.
she scorns the soft arc
of flesh chasing instead
sharp angles
crevices where bones
will prove her control.
a swollen waist blasphemes
against her creed – thighs spilling wide
across a chair-seat churn her stomach – breasts rising bold
beneath cloth choke her breath.
full cheeks stout arms
wide hips a budding second chin — all swarm
like thieves in the night stripping her joy
chaining her days.
she’s a captive in a cage she creates —
a sparrow swirling in a gale.
scales and measures are not useful tools
but tyrants commanding her to fast.
she has carved her flesh to the bone yet one phantom
of flesh lingers tilting the cruel glass
that hurls her reflection back in her face
with a relentless chant:
just a fraction slighter – just a bit smaller
just a breath thinner – just bit thinner
just a fraction slighter – just a bit smaller
just a breath thinner – just bit thinner
& then her life will be in order.
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