They look at your waist, hips,
and thighs, the swollen fingers
and ankles, the stretch marks
fading purple and silver
on your abdomen and breasts,

and want to discuss how much
you’ve gained, and then,
how much you have left
to lose. They don’t notice
the real weight, the heaviness

that bears down on your head
and chest, that no number
of sit-ups or amount
of time on the treadmill
can ever melt away.