This quarantine taught me
to exhale,
(this whale -
held back by the waistband)
to let go.
Sucked into shape
mouth agape
greedily, I breathe, in gulps
as the tears escape in bulk.
My shame in liquid, exchanged
for my rightful bulge.
Who decreed
how much to breathe?
My oxygen rationed out
so my tummy rolls secede
as long as I stand
denied.
You’re never told straight
to lose some (weight)
to gain some (pull)
just gently cajoled
to be small,
that’s all.
Take space, take time, take air, it’s all there
Inflate big lungs
exhale fecund
ideas and words that
fill your mouth.
Push your weight
around.
