I hate the way My mom looks in the mirror And wishes that her belly Was like mine a little more.
I hate the way My mom looks at pictures of her And thinks that her arms Are as large as the supersized crisp bag from the pantry.
I hate the way My mom reads those articles That scrutinize every detail of an older woman’s body As if they had a magnifying glass into her life.
I hate the way my mom hates her body Because She is deeper than a magazine cover. She is more than what others think of her.
My mother shouldn’t have to look at the mirror and say, “I don’t want my body this way,” Because mama, mama, You are more than just legs, hips and arms.
You are the bright laugh to a corny joke, Each ripple of your vocal cords, Is more comforting than any symphony.
You are the first person to be concerned, To be the Betadine for an emotional wound, To be the first steps to doing better.
You are the hardest worker I know, Having literally come from humble rice fields, To the top floor of a skyscraper.
You are the reacher of stars, You want to capture as many of them inside your hands, And give me galaxies.
So please remember There is not one day That I do not wish for you To see yourself in this way. You are worth more than what the tabloids say, Mama. I love you. —CONTRIBUTED