Mirror Pep Talk, circa 1988

Good morning, sunshine.

Look me straight in the eye.

I’m just checking in to ask: what is

the matter with you?

You are such an utter embarrassment

with that accursed ass of yours.

It’s a very simple concept, dear:

Stop with all the eating already.

Time to focus up.

You came to conquer New York City?

Let’s look at all the ways you are failing.

No job. No car. And everybody whispering

“What’s up with that blond chick?”

That’s you.

What the hell is up with you?

Throwing up isn’t working anymore.

Your bloated body is disgusting,

not to mention, I suspect,

puking your own blood is not a very good sign.

But even worse, you will remain

hopelessly       humongous

if you don’t just stop with all this damn

EATING.

One thing I think we can agree on:

you are never

touching laxatives again.

Eating disorders are a big tub o’ laughs

until that one day when

you crap your jeans.