My body in bathing suits
Feels clumsy and gross.
I look at the swimmers
And look at the pool,
And suddenly feel Like a fat ugly fool.
I try to ignore them,
These feelings I feel…
But the bottom line truth is,
The feelings are real.
Will I wear a bathing suit?
Probably not.
I’ll probably stay in my clothes,
And feel hot.
I’ve tried, please believe me,
To listen to those
Who tell me
It’s OK To take off my clothes.
Then I look at others
And what comes to mind?
I sense they are judging me
And being unkind.
I wish I was comfortable,
I wish I fit in…
I wish I was normal.
I wish I was thin.
I wish people saw me
For more than my weight…
I wish that I had
A much different fate.
So, hats off to Esther
Who swam like a fish…
Who by all accounts
Was a beautiful “dish”.
But I am not Esther.
I’m all I can be…
And sometimes I struggle
Just being me.
One more small thing,
I must say it out loud –
If I had a body
Of which I was proud
If tank tops and 2-pieces
Were within my reach
I’d be more than happy
To join you at the beach.
Poet Lorraine Brooks will join us for Divabetic’s upcoming Mermaid Parade-themed podcast with Coney Island USA Artistic Director Adam Rinn. She’ll share her newest poem, “Summer Skin,” which tackles many of the same themes in her popular poem, “Beauty & The Beach.”
Lorraine admitted in our recent pre-interview that she initially hesitated to share’ Beauty & The Beach’ with our listeners because she felt it didn’t match Divabetic’s predominant upbeat ‘Glam More, Fear Less’ attitude.
Ultimately, she read it on Divabetic’s Roundtable podcast, inspired by Esther Williams in 2013. We are so glad she did. The positive response from listeners and blog readers was overwhelming. Her words struck a chord with our Divabetic community in a powerful and meaningful way. Many commented on how much they identified with Lorraine’s feelings in her poem.
With the Summer months approaching, we decided to share it once again. Whoever you are, wherever you are, however you feel about your body, know that you are not alone.
Was it an accident or foul play?
Now Mr. Divabetic’s grilling Burlesque dancers, a lifeguard lothario, a gypsy fortune teller, and some sequined mermaids, all intent on keeping their secrets buried deep within the sand. Can Mr. Divabetic overcome his green pea phobia in time to prove Coach’s death was a murder, not an accident? Or will he end up floating out to sea? Will he sink or swim? Tune in to find out if he can solve the murder of his former swim coach with the help of his nosey Italian mother and friends. Along the way to revealing the murderer’s identity, he uncovers expert tips for diabetes self-care during the Summer months.
FEATURING Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek, USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, We Are Diabetes Founder Asha Brown, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Mama Rose Marie, and Seveda Williams. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.
Divabetic® (divabetic.org) is a national nonprofit diabetes outreach organization committed to changing attitudes in people at risk, affected by and living with diabetes. We strive to encourage prevention, early action, and above all, education. Check out our free monthly podcasts (available on i-Tunes and BlogTalkRadio) and our free Zoom outreach programs.