I practice saying “no”.I watch my flat upper lipfold under the other one
and I wonder what about mefelt so unavoidable.I rehearse in the mirrorI measure the widening of my eyes
I say it again. I say it louder.Still sometimes, my ribs getcaught on the inhale —I force breath through my throat.
And so I push back my hairand pull my hands off my faceand I say it again.
I say it again and again and againuntil my fingers turn red against the sink.Because I can’t remember my bodythe last time it was mine.
Photo by Ashley Byrd on Unsplash