Poem – ‘Body Appreciation'

(T/W: discusses body image, body size)

‘Your tummy feels chubby mummy’

Eek! Does he mean ‘fat’?

And if he does,

Am I ok with that?

I already know the answer

‘Yes. I. Am!’

This tummy housed this human.

This tummy is the jam.

Once upon a time,

I didn’t think like that.

I would have felt shame,

Been upset and thought, ‘I’m fat’.

Fat - a simple descriptive word,

Wrapped in negativity.

Why can’t we see past a body size,

You’re you and I am me?

We’ve all got quirks,

And body parts, we’re not that chuffed about.

But why should they define us?

Why not call that out?

As a Mum, I now see

My body in a different light.

I’m grateful for it every day.

No longer will I fight.

So even when a mirror glimpse

Tells me otherwise,

Deep down I can remember,

It’s not about appearance, shape or size.

Deep down I appreciate,

All my body does for me.

I can run and play and dance all day,

In my body I feel free.