Ode to my Body
Kaylee Garrett
—after Ross Gay
​
I don’t know
the first time
I hated you
maybe
it was the way I
had stomach rolls
and other girls
had bikini bodies
I put you
through hell
for that
hated you
for the pain I felt
you prevailed
time and time again
when I binged
when I purged
you are stronger
than my mind
you conquered
even
when boys thought
they could own
you
even
when I carved
you
you prevailed
time and time again
I want to love
you
I want to
look in the mirror
and smile
I want to
nourish and cherish
you
you should be
praised and worshipped
like Aphrodite
but
I still look at you
and cry
I still look at you
and count my calories.
Contributor's Note
Kaylee Garrett is a senior studying English and Creative Writing. She does not know what the future will hold for her, however, she is excited to find a career that she loves and to spend quality time with her cat, Oscar.
