Anatomically speaking

Sometimes

I want my body to show you how I've changed.

My skin with a healthy glow

with fewer scars, marks, creases.

My stomach less indulged,

more starved.

And you'll all say:

"Wow, you've really changed"

As if my appearance is an exhibition.

You see me, but you aren't really looking.

As if my looks would display anything to anyone:

I am what I am.

My skin stretching over my bones

won’t show you how hard I've worked

to be myself, to become myself, to accept myself.

So when you look at me and say:

"You look well, you've really lost weight."

Don't look there.

This body

doesn't tell the whole story.

My eyes

will tell you everything you need to know.