Strong Not Skinny | Teen Ink
  1. Home
  2. Poetry
  3. Free Verse
  4. Strong Not Skinny

Strong Not Skinny

October 17, 2014
By GillYarano SILVER, St. Paul, Minnesota
More by this author
GillYarano SILVER, St. Paul, Minnesota
6 articles 0 photos 2 comments
View profile

Growing muscles protect my once brittle bones
Calluses leave their rough signature
On my now famous grip
Back-squats, burpees, and power cleans
No longer nudge me closer to death
Everyday I am rewarded
With a sore body
Instead of weak, useless limbs
I smile as I push myself
As I conquer every challenge
Not because I want to be thin
Like a plastic Barbie doll
Not because I dread I could be heavier
Than my tiny peers
But because I am competing
Against myself
To break through any walls
Separating me
From my goals
Anorexia stole my life
But with every ounce of muscle I create
I gain it back
Separating myself
Even further from
That lethal illness

© Michelle L., Syosset, NY

Post a comment
Submit your own

Similar Articles

Previous Next
Poetry
Lightning
By Rachel Bellah BRONZE
Seattle, Washington
Rachel Bellah BRONZE, Seattle, Washington
4 articles 0 photos 1 comment
View profile
Poetry
Motley Crue: I really hear you
By Arbys GOLD
Dobbs Ferry, New York
Arbys GOLD, Dobbs Ferry, New York
15 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
&quot;I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity.&quot;Edgar Allan Poe<br /> &quot;A dream doesn&#039;t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. ~Colin Powell&quot; ~ Colin Powell<br /> &quot;Wisdom is not finally tested in the schools, Wisdom <br /> &quot;A poem is never finished, only abandoned.&quot;-Paul Valery

View profile
Poetry
Do It Now!
By Lost-In-Life GOLD
Whitby, Other
Lost-In-Life GOLD, Whitby, Other
11 articles 0 photos 299 comments

Favorite Quote:
It&#039;s never to late, if it weren&#039;t for the last minute many things would never get done!

View profile
Poetry
Unreach Love
By C.J.H. BRONZE
Benciao City, Taipei County, Other
C.J.H. BRONZE, Benciao City, Taipei County, Other
4 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Sometimes the world tries ot knock it out of you. But I believe in music the way that some people believe in fairy tales.&quot; August Rush(2007)

View profile
Poetry
That Dreary Day
By jessicaah GOLD
Huber Heights., Ohio
jessicaah GOLD, Huber Heights., Ohio
12 articles 17 photos 29 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;I say what I want to say and do what I want to do. There&#039;s no in between. People will either love you for it or hate you for it. &quot;

View profile
Poetry
The World of the Present
By Lost-In-Life GOLD
Whitby, Other
Lost-In-Life GOLD, Whitby, Other
11 articles 0 photos 299 comments

Favorite Quote:
It&#039;s never to late, if it weren&#039;t for the last minute many things would never get done!

View profile

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 2 comments.

Angel.Of.Darkness said...
on Oct. 25 2014 at 9:26 am
Angel.Of.Darkness, London, Other
0 articles 21 photos 47 comments

Favorite Quote:
It is not wise to judge others based on your own preconceptions and by their appearances ♡

View profile
Sooo good 0.0
Alphadare said...
on Oct. 24 2014 at 5:58 pm
Alphadare, Houston, Texas
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
You Only Loose What You Cling To

View profile
I.... Think....This.... Is.....AWESOME!  OMG I AM SPEECHLESS 8.8 So good and so well writen! ~GOOD JOB!