poetry
2023
Progress
Kylie Brown
Progress • Kylie Brown
What is progress?
Progress is visual
It’s accepted
Valued
It’s seeing the numbers on the scale
As they decline at a rapid rate
Going backwards
(Never forward)
It’s your waist shrinking
As your friends all shout
“Congratulations!”
“You look so good!”
(As if, somehow,
I didn’t look good before)
It’s losing 40 pounds in one month
The shock on people’s faces
As they tell you, you are so strong
They are proud of you
(Not hearing the aggressive rumbling of your stomach)
It’s stuffing carrots and apples
Down my throat
Like I’m a damn rabbit
Running around the track
10 times more than putting food in my own mouth
100 calories here
200 there
Progress?
Progress is hating yourself
To the point of starvation.
Just so that others
Will view you as successful
What is progress?
Progress is silent
It’s personal
Self-acceptance
It’s slowly realizing numbers are just that
Numbers upon a scale
Not giving them any weight
(Even if others do)
It’s putting on that crop top
Telling yourself
“I look amazing”
“I love my body”
(While others tell you to cover up;
Your body is not worth seeing.)
It’s recognizing clothes are for all sizes
Letting your rolls hang out in pride
Loving every inch of yourself
Proud of who you are
(Even if there was a time where you weren’t)
It’s walking with my head held high
Comfortable in my own skin
It’s wearing short dresses
And low-cut shirts
Not hiding behind sweaters
A silent smile here
Showing my stomach there
Progress?
Progress is learning to love yourself
Despite what society thinks
So that one day you,
You can view yourself as successful