Hate how my legs look
Femur twisted hip hiked up
Velcro sneakers best

Hate my walking stride
Left knee bent so right heel lands
Velcro sneakers best

Hate my curled up toes
Need to stand on spiky balls
Velcro sneakers best

Hate massive time suck
All the time it takes to dress
Fingerless gloves best

Hate how my hands look 
Craggily witchy digits 
Fingerless gloves best

Hate all the glances 
Hands don’t do what they once did 
Fingerless gloves best

Hate asking for help 
Simple things feel mountainous 
Leaning helps me best

Hate the wobble stand 
Balance flickers in and out 
Leaning helps me best

Hate crowded spaces
Nowhere safe to catch myself
Leaning helps me best

Hate the daily math 
Every step and move pre-planned 
Moving slowly best

Hate rushing at all
Body won’t obey the clock
Moving slowly best

Hate muscle recall
Of the ease I used to have 
Moving slowly best

Hate all the glances
Strangers trying not to stare
Fake smiles work best

Hate limitations
That standing up takes more work
Fake smiles work best

Hate every hard chair
Cushion travels where I go
Faking smile best

But…

Hating does not serve
I’m imperfect, still I grow
Pride in being me

Love belly button
Small, soft, perfectly innie 
Little things shine best

Love my collar bone 
Sleek lines resting in halters 
Little things shine best

Love my petite boobs
No need for heavy sports bras 
Little things shine best

Love my legs despite 
All the strain they’ve carried through 
Strength carries me best

Love that my feet move 
Carrying me to great views 
Strength carries me best

Love my chunky thighs 
Once squeezed tight in skinny jeans 
Strength carries me best

Love once spaghetti 
Now my arms are strong and sure 
These arms serve me best

Holding, pulling up 
When my legs cannot respond 
These arms serve me best

Love my strong grip strength 
Carrying weight on my own 
These arms serve me best

Love my whole body 
Holding planks, steady and strong 
Strength and ease feel best

Love athletic build 
Sweat equity earned with time 
Strength and ease feel best

Love my worn, flawed bones
Tendons working through each move
Strength and ease feel best

Love my many scars 
Stories written on my skin 
Mind and body best

Love my memory 
Parlor tricks live in my mind 
Mind and body best

Love the lessons learned
Hard days shaping who I am
Mind and body best

Love transformation
Flaws once sharp now teach me grace
Being me feels best

Love my every part
Love all my imperfections
Being me feels best

Love not all my flaws
But the me they’ve helped me be
Being me feels best