FATTIE

People i run into everyday,

Women, and mostly men,

who have been friends and lovers

for moments on sultry dawns,

tell me they cannot recognize me,
as they run into me on streets and corners, 
tell me, i have become very fat. 
baths, mirrors, and clothes and sweat in crevices
and other secret folds of the neck, armpits and belly
remind me that I've become fat. 
Today i have spent the entire day

hearing from every second person,

how i have become fat.
being fat is a strange thing.

for me, it begins with itching

that large piece of skin, that

does not get any air, because

your belly is hanging,

till where it should not.

usually, that part of my body

itches at night.

when the chores are done

the lights put out,

and i'm thinking of all

the things i've done in

the day, that i shouldn't

have,

it begins to itch.

itch, like the things i did

that i ought not have done.

the sweat, the rawness of

skin, the fat and that

itch--

it is almost as if i am

paying for my sins.