if I am beach body ready.
Observe how the folds
of my stomach ripple
like the wind-pulled waves.
Feel these pale buttocks,
smoothed by the sand-grains
of time.
Note these milk-white limbs,
useless and stranded,
washed up whalebones.
Consider the tufts of hair
which sprout on my shoulders
like sea-grass.
And listen to the lapping
of my socks
at the shores of my sandals.
And you ask me
if I am beach body ready?
I think Bryan Bilston's poem is extremely clever.
And I am sad [and a little bit angry] that so many people feel unable to enjoy the sunshine, sand and seawater because they have been made to feel ashamed because their bodies are not 'perfect' in some way. We all have beach bodies.
Excellent poem! People can be too quick to criticise... !
ReplyDeleteThey can indeed. We all need to think before we speak
DeleteGreat poem!
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DeleteI have a 'farmer's tan'. If I take off my tee shirt white purity will be revealed.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I'm glad you are protecting your torso from sun damage
DeleteA bitter sweet poem. Despite losing 9 kgs I still do not have a "beach perfect" body but hey ho I am 74, had two babies, have operation scars and never tan just go red so I don't sunbathe just slather on sun cream and cover up as much as possible. Having said that I am so grateful to my sturdy body and try to look after it and give thanks every day that at my age I am still relatively fit and can be independent and enjoy mobility and my life. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. And a little bit of extra weight is a useful cushion if you fall! I'm grateful for my body - and accept that ageing is inevitable. Being mobile and independent in retirement IS a precious gift. And beauty comes from within - it is the content of ones character that counts
DeleteOh how I wish I could feel like this, but at 59 years old, the eating disorder is still winning.
ReplyDeleteHang in there Scarlet. We've experience of ED in our family, and appreciate how hard it is, and the long struggle to overcome,.But know that you are loved and valued. ❤️
DeleteMy body is life ready and I hope I will stay strong and independent if I have the privilege of growing older. Catriona
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DeleteDH and I have wrinkles in odd places, thanks to advanced years. My friend and I used to have one quibble about other beach sharers at the river. We did not approve of men in Speedos! I don't know what she would have thought of the woman in the thong bathing suit that I saw a couple of weeks ago. Bums are meant to be covered, if only to prevent sunburn!
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DeleteA valuable lesson to be happy in our own skin and enjoy life to the full. But also to remember that we can hurt others with thoughtless criticism of a not so perfect body shape.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more 👍
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