Celebration

let me celebrate every single inch of my body

the edge of my frayed shorts

don’t cover so little

for your enjoyment. i don’t walk down the street

for your admiration. I don’t embrace my figure

for you to stare.

my skin isn’t yours to fondle;

my breath isn’t yours to suck

through your lungs stained with smoke

my veins are already lined with rubies

and i don’t need your gems smeared upon my collarbone for my soul to remain full of riches

so let me love myself and keep your grimy fingers

off of my glowing skin that darkens with your imprint

and most importantly let me celebrate my body unapologetically

let me be proud

Molly Wilkinson '22

POETRY