Skin Deep
Ironically when at hospital
I went to get weighed
When I bent to remove my shoe
My Lycra leggings frayed
Nay, they royally ripped
Below my left butt cheek
A gaping hole appeared
White knickers for all to see
A pound of flesh
And half of my bum
On display
With nowhere to run
I’d like to think
They shrank in the wash
Clean on today
But that’s probably tosh
For when I hit the scales
The needle went up
To 64 kilos
I couldn’t bare to look
Middle aged spread
Is afflicting me
5’3” and a half
Curves for all to see
I can recall when
I was a mere 7 stone
21 years old
Slender, lithe and toned
No problem squeezing
Into purple spandex jeans
Like Sandy’s in Grease
Shiny black, final scenes
Back when I was
A perfect size 6
Blonde and willowy
Before the clock ticked
To February 2020
My 45th year
So much has changed
Not just the size of my rear
Maturing disgracefully
Although that’s about to change
For although my foot is fractured
I’m no longer in so much pain
Instead I’m focusing inward
Repairing my wounded soul
Reinventing the ‘wheel’
Recovery my goal
And there’s so much work
Still to be done
I haven’t time to fret
Over the size of my bum
That’s one good thing about ageing
You sure as hell care less
About outward appearances
And your hair being a mess
For it’s what’s inside that counts
And if you’re discontented
You’ll never be satisfied
And lost youth may be lamented
Don’t fear growing old
And developing some padding
It’s better than the alternative
Or being emaciated and sagging
Embrace your waist
The extra inch or two
Love yourself
Then you won’t have to
Obsess about your looks
And any lines that appear
You won’t need to seek approval
Or the coming decades fear
And if you’re inclined
To seek solace in prayer
That sense of connection
Will form a protective layer
Around your insecurities
And put them to bed
Amplify your inner voice
So you can hear that instead
Of any self-defeating thoughts
About your evolving looks
Until you actually no longer do
Give a flying f**k
You’ll no longer need a mask
For beauty comes from within
You’ll find inner peace at last
And feel comfortable in your own skin.
