Hard to Stomach

At thirteen

I looked down

And saw

Rounded belly flesh

Despair and disgust

Descended

In true belly fashion

You never cared

You kept protecting

My innards

Stretched to support

My children

Endured endless

Scrutiny and exercise

Designed to minimize

Strengthen, flatten

Erase you

And thirty years later

You have never complained

Always giving me a little

Navel wink each morning

So, I'm sorry

Now could you help me

Squeeze into these jeans

Please?

Prompt--write an apology poem

Heartfelt

My heart

Makes

No

Apologies

Prompt--write an unapologetic poem