49. Belly

standing in the shower
looking down at her body below
my six year old self
struck a deal with her belly

never grow so big 
that you block the view of my toes
she requested politely, yet firmly
(this was more of a command
than a conversation)

what would I say to her
now that I see the roots
growing beneath her words

shame 
judgement
objectification
planted without permission 
in her garden of self-understanding

what would I say to her now?