Chews To Keep You Away

A poem about sexual abuse and eating disorders.

Chews To Keep You Away

Each taste sends you

farther away from me,

that's where I want you to be.

 

Every calorie takes

your hands to another face,

 

     far from my body,

                          

          my private parts.

 

                   my space.

 

Piles of crumbs

keep you from rubbing on me,

like you did on the bathroom tile

when I was a child.

 

Bring on the food!

 

Reviews

[Marie Anzalone]

Emotional eating as a coping strategy for sexual trauma is a well-documented phenomenon, and you've captured its hell in this writing.

[Marie Harrison]

This is a poem about child sexual abuse and it's connection with eating disorders. After my divorce I lost a ton of weight and have kept it off. I think there could be a significant connection for me of these two subjects.

[Liza]

interesting take on this
is this saying that the woman starves her body from affection and attention
by stuffing her body with food?