Because April is National Poetry Month, here’s a poem I wrote as a reminder for all of us.

When you gain weight,

you may feel like a failure,

you may be convinced

you’ve done something wrong

you may think you need

to start counting calories

and cutting out dessert.

When you gain weight,

you may think you

deserve to be punished

to batter yourself at the gym.

You may feel

the need

to call yourself cruel names

to motivate the supposed

sloth you’ve become.

You may assume

the role of drill sergeant.

You may get out your whip.

You may feel

the chill of disappointment

the heaviness of grief.

You may fear running into anyone you know

Please, don’t let them see me until I lose the weight.

Please.

You may feel like staying in.

You may sigh

or frown at the reflection

that you meet.

But here’s the truth,

whether you’ve gained weight

because you ditched your diet

because you take certain meds

because you stopped working out

because you gave birth

because you’ve been eating more

because your body is naturally changing

because you’re healing a disordered relationship

with your body and yourself

because you’ve healed from a disease

or a painful injury

because you just did.

Yes, simply, you just did.

Whatever the reason,

it doesn’t matter.

Take a walk.

Take a break.

Pause.

Breathe.

Pay attention to your legs

as they carry you along the street.

Feel the balmy breeze

of spring against your skin.

Listen to the bits of dialogue

traveling through the air.

Listen to the

birds singing,

kids laughing,

cars honking.

Feel your feet hit the ground

and touch the earth.

And remember,

you are no failure,

no wrong-doer

no judge.

You are a person.

A person whose body

deserves acceptance

kindness,

and thanks.

A person who deserves

to wear whatever you like

and participate in

whatever activities

make you feel alive.

A person who deserves

to nourish your needs,

wants and wishes.

A person who deserves

to smile at yourself.

A person who deserves

compassion

care

respect

and love.

Because no matter

what the voices

or messages may say

The scale is

no barometer

no measure

of any,

any of that.