My Body Is Holy

By. Shari A. Smith

My feet have carried me for many miles

At times, quickly

At times, slowly

They have hurt and they have bled

And they carry me still

My legs have lifted me up

Since I was just a child

They danced me through the good days

They marched me through the hard days

They pushed me forward when I was weak

And they continue to lift me still

My belly has nourished me, heart and soul

It help me grow strong and healthy

Though I treated it harshly and starved it to meet arbitrary demands

My belly has never failed me

And it nourishes my body still

My skin has faithfully clothed my bones

Though ravished by time and harsh soaps

I’ve despised it

I’ve painted over it

I’ve taken it for granted

And it clothes and protects me still

My body is a holy instrument

Worthy of love and compassion

Worthy of praise for all it can do

I might have been taught to despise it

But today, I choose to break away from such toxic thought

And cherish all that my body is

I choose to love me

Shari A Smith is a writer whose work primarily focuses on emotional intelligence and deconstructing from a culturally conservative/patriarchal worldview. Her work can be found at www.shariasmith.com She can also be reached on social media: Instagram: @shari.a.smith
/Twitter: @faithandcoffeee/ Facebook: @sharineedscoffeenow