Guilty

Guilty

it’s alright to eat

as long as you feel guilty

and take tiny bites

then it’s O.K.

to eat that bacon cheese

burger

fries

gravy

at least there was a lettuce

leaf

tomato slice

onion ring

pickle

as long as you feel guilty

for even being hungry

for not controlling your expanding surface

your cubits

encroaching

on others at the bus stop

as long as you feel guilty

and step quietly

speak quietly

smile

swallow quietly

as long as you feel guilty

for requiring more fabric

in your shirt

your pants zippered

loudly over your

always girdled middle

as long as you feel guilty

for draining our healthcare

system, even if your blood

pressure is normal

as long as you feel guilty

at the gym

and sweat in private

become the after

denying the before or during

or just living

as long as you feel guilty

any attention you get should be considered a gift

as long as you feel guilty

for wanting equal pay

for wanting a promotion

for being powerful

for taking up space

for having a pretty face

for being funny

for being kind always

for being out of control

for having no will power

for being unfashionable

for being loud

for being the sidekick

for being reviled

for being

fat.

As long as you feel guilty.