Love the Body You’re With
Tiny Lights, Poem 13
“If you are lucky enough to be called an old bag…you will know the heft of what it holds and you will love it…”
The inspiration for this poem…
Another body poem, inspired by the appreciation and admiration I have for my body especially after all these years! Thinking about being an old bag and carrying an old bag (more play on words!) helped me to compare the two: from the look and feel of the outside; to the opening and closing over and over again; to the fine lines; to the final click, rub, and goodbye. After sharing this with my writing group I explained that I could not find a satisfactory title for it and someone spoke up to say it reminded them of the song “Love the One You’re With” by Crosby, Stills and Nash. That was perfect and confirmed that what I was trying to convey had come across.
Writing/Meditation Prompts:
Be in your body. Plant your feet on the floor, your hind bones on the chair. Take up space. Love the body you’re with. Say thanks.
What kind of relationship do you have with your body? Are you on the same team or find yourselves on opposing sides?
Compare your body to an object. What is it like, how does it function, is it working?
What lies ahead for you and your body? An argument or truce? Love story? A bad or happy ending?
Could you write out some dialogue between yourself and your body? What do you both have to say?!