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This poem is not reflective of an actual food log of mine, but it does reflect how little I wish I could eat sometimes, which is not healthy. I also want to comment that an eating disorder and dieting are not the same, however, I’m aware that many people who diet log their food and calories as well (I’m not going to go into detail about dieting and diet-culture right now). I also know some people just tend to eat less unintentionally, this is not what this poem is referring to either. This poem highlights the fine line between wanting to be “healthier” versus falling deep into the well of disordered eating. Eating disorders are defined as “serious illnesses marked by severe disturbances in a person’s eating behaviors.” I hope if you find yourself resonating with this statement, or this poem, that you talk to somebody you trust about the emotions and thoughts you are experiencing. There are many resources out there and you are not alone. Here is the website for the National Institute of Mental Health, which provides information and resources to support those struggling, or if someone you know is struggling.
Hi! I told you I'd be back!
First and foremost, this is a topic that can be difficult to explore and feel genuine - and you do it very effectively here. It reminded me of a few books I read in my teenage years that were really good at gripping the reader by the shoulders and almost shoving them into someone else's world and psyche - and I think you do that here by starting out with this stark food log that seems practically impossible to a mind who may have never experienced the behavioral addiction that is an ed.
Honestly, my biggest critique is formatting and it's mostly because I think it would carry the stark feeling I get from the initial log into the more journal-like part of the poem. See below!
My one other note would be that I almost wonder if it would be more effective for your final line to be something along to lines of preparing to do it all over again the next day, because yes the chase of weighing less than you did the day before is a big piece of it - but even bigger is the consistent feeling of doom and preparation to spend the next day just as hungry as you were the first. By highlighting that this isn't just one day, but a repeated cycle you can't escape, you force the reader to confront how an illness like anorexia can impact someone's inner monologue and identity.
I know it can be weird and hard to edit poems like this that come from such a deep, visceral place, so feel free to disregard my thoughts. Sometimes poems don't need to be edited and it's okay if this is one. You do such a great job already of telling a story and building a narrative for the reader, but I also see so much potential if you choose to take this back to the drawing board to work on. Either way, I'm cheering you on and wishing you well.
hello me here! i liked this poem. let me go through line by line what i think. first off, food log. this is a cool concept for your poem and including the date shows that this person maybe does this everyday or often enough to number it and track. next, breakfast! very simple and small and a common thing for people with an ed to count as a meal. then, for lunch an apple and sandwich. i feel like the biggest meal being lunch can show that maybe this person eats with others during lunch and may be trying to hide that theyre slowly lessening what they eat. then they eat a snack, this part was my favorite of the poem because it shows how ridiculous an ed can be and its specific. counting each little cashew you eat and making sure to write it down accurately and holding yourself accountable. and last thing they ate was a microwavable meal. i feel like this line isnt too specific and that could mean that this person might feel guilty for eating another meal for dinner and not wanting to specify because theyre embarassed. next line, dessert: n/a. since its developing they might only skip one meal that they might usually eat and dessert being an option to fill out shows that maybe they usually eat dessert and stuff so i liked that line. the next line transitions well into the next one because dessert is usually the last meal and so this person skipped it and went to bed and this is likely what saitisfies them more than the actual food they ate earlier. hungry, they acknowledged the feeling and ignored it maybe even liked the feeling of hunger which i liked that and the way you put it on its own line. the isolation strengthens it and shows how intense hunger can feel. then the last line: maybe ill wake up lighter. this thought is what is gonna end up pushing the ed into full effect. its a good line to end off on because it doesnt say what comes after. maybe they'll wake up and step on the scale and see theyre the same weight and feel a bit upset or maybe theyll feel great that day and blame the good day on the fact they lost 2 pounds or something. always wanting to feel less and take up as little space as possible and be weightless.
overall good poem! i feel it might be short but it serves its purpose and that was to convey a thought the author had. i kinda just wrote down random stuff so i hope you think the review is a little bit ok. anyways keep writing your poems are turning out good!
Since I'm on mobile I can't really review but I just wanted to say how perfect you captured this. As someone who struggled with an ED in the past and honestly even to this day, this was exactly how I feel going through this to the point I'd check my scale 4 times a day. Amazing job Gigi <3333
While I do not struggle with an ED, I do feel like not eating anything, reflective of the poem. I live with mum and dad and they don't let me starve myself, however, just like your note, it reminds me of how little I really want to eat. Personal experience aside, this is short but profound, not simply a poem but a piece of modern art, depicting it through a fairly unique or shall I say out of the box format.
Thankyou for providing the resources in your note, I wish you the very best