The Entrance to a Disorder

this is a poem i wrote this last summer. I am supposedly recovered now, or at least it's in remission.

You tell me that I'm ugly

I look in my mirror- confusion.

I start searching for my flaws.

I see my thighs, huge things.

My stomach is bulging & my arms flab around.

The next day I'm wearing baggy clothes,

attempting to hide my body.

This day you call me fat.

I'm confused, so I look in the mirror again.

This time it is for advice.

I don't see my stomach

or fat arms and thighs.

But I know they are still there.

They are constantly mocking me.

Preaching how I will NEVER be beautiful.

I want them gone.

In the days to pass I see meals layed out.

Noticing the fat content, I push them aside.

In evenings I return to my only friends,

the scales and mirrors- they tell no lies.

Each night I see no difference,

I haven't done enough to gain beauty.

The next day I eat even less.

Reading and counting calories off labels,

any amount is too much.

I return to my bathroom each night,

to continue my neccessary routine.

I haven't lost enough-

15 pounds is nothing.

My stomach still sticks out.

Why isn't this working? I must do more.

No liquid calories, only water or coffee.

I need to lose this weight.

Weeks go by, no noticable changes.

Someone mentions exercising whilst fasting.

I jump at this idea- buring fat and consuming none.

Day one at the gym 1000 calories destroyed,

my own personal victory.

Returning to the gym 4 more times that week,

same workout each day- I end up blacking out the last night.

Someone tells me that I look like I've lost weight, that I look good.

I know what I'm doing must be working.

But I haven't done enough- I'm still too fat, still eating too much.

There is so much more I could do...

The eating disorder welcomes me with arms wide open,

Smiling at her latest victim.

I had lost over 56 something lbs. A trusted friend told me she was scared for me. That she watching me shrink away, but didn't know what to do to help. I know this is disturbing, but even now that im better. I would still kill to weigh less than 100lbs.

-Beth

p.s.- Not everything is what it seems.