Giving Notice

Your eyes cut off my sides
That's why I curl my shoulders inward
I want you to acknowledge
ALL OF ME
Yes, all of me
The much, much, muchness of all of me

I've been narrowing myself
To try to fit your gaze
Your frame of reference
I pulled my arms in and
Held them imprisoned, poised
Until you took your pictures
Hoping I would be
Narrow enough to be accepted

BUT I AM A BIG FAT WOMAN
I AM A WIDE WOMAN
Broad. Broader. Broaden your view
Take me in as I am
I see you seeing me partly
Through your lens, narrowing
Denying, cutting off my arms
Unless I pull them in
Become imprisoned by my own arms

I'm giving notice
I won't be doing that anymore
see me as I am, FULL VIEW, and
I'll try to do the same for you.

- Mary Billy

From Visions of Flight A Journey of Positive Thought by and about Women with Disabilities, Kelly Wheeler and Gem Wirszilas, eds. Kelly Wheeler / Trabarni Productions. Used by permission.