Girls Bodies Grow

The Way An Elevator Goes Up And Down

by Coral Kendall

where’d you come from?

Lil Thin Girl

certainly not from your Jewish mother

with the double D latkes hanging from her chest

don’t worry you’ll get there one day

Lil Thin Girl

let’s just hope you don’t also inherit her appetite

Lil Thin Girl should stay that way forever

Lil Thin Girl could still grow up to be a ballerina

will you dance for me Lil Thin Girl?

will you let me hold whatever’s left of you

and not let go?

can I wrap myself around like a belt?

the tightest it can get

add a couple new notches

otherwise I’d slip right off, Lil Thin Girl

like all these dresses your mom bought

when you were still a size one

you’ve grown

Lil Big Girl

fat but still short

Busty Girl

can’t reach the top shelf cause your dumpy

but also cause you don’t want your tummy to pop out

and we’ll all see

Teenage Hungry Girl

no longer Lil Thin Girl

we’re pretty sure you ate her

Lil Thin Girl couldn’t survive in the world

is that what happened?

you may be big now but your still our little girl

aren’t you?

your still scared of us

aren’t you?

of what we may do to you

when we find out you can’t squeeze anymore

into the frame we tailor-made for you?

perfect family photo now, huh?

mother’s daughter is growing up to look just like her

smiling as if she has anything to be proud of

Growing girl doesn’t meet up with friends after eating

cause she wants them to think that she doesn’t

sucks in her chin to train the fat to stay hidden

Growing girl would rather stop swimming

than have to wear a one-piece suit

not used to it but she knows how it fits

shame in her thin/fat/growing body

shame in eating something

shame in being anything

we didn’t want her to be to begin with

do you love yourself yet, grown-up girl?

do you still see yourself as a little ballerina?

will you still dance for me?

Coral Kendall has been writing/learning poetry for over 2 years now and recently had her first a poem accepted for publication in a book of anthologies. Coral's poems come from this middle ground depression that forms after going through tragedy and then finally finding this new version of one's self on the other end. It's not meant to be taken lightly, but Coral hopes for it to be just the right amount of emotion to digest full-heartedly. Coral is aware her writing may not be for everyone and most won't give it a second glance due to its unique style (usually), but that's why she's looking for readers who are truly seeking something different.