Bruised but not broken

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