Body Work

My body feels unsafe 
Like a battlefield
Where the men 
Have left mines

Touched it sweetly
At first

They loved my body
Loved to own my body
To talk about her
Like a piece of property

Do this
Do that
Why are your cheeks always red
Why isn’t your stomach flat
Why isn’t your ass bigger
Why are your tits different sizes

Sometimes 
It’s enough to make a person
Fucking snap

Sometimes 
I think about naming every imperfection 
On their bodies
But I won’t 
Because they are not perfect
I am not perfect
I don’t want to be perfect

I want flaws
I want to see every curve and dip in your skin
The zit on your butt cheek
The fungus on your toenail
The slight angle of your dick
The roundness of your stomach

My body feels like home.
A place to anchor myself
A space I love to be in
Where the men 
Have left imprints
That fade away
Because she is mine.

Rosy cheeks
Soft stomach
Small ass 
Asymmetrical breasts

My body is beautiful.
My body is safe.
My body is me.

Leave your opinions 
At the door
Or don’t come knocking.