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January 15th, 2026
Eleventh Transmission Poetry Contest #2 – First Place
by Rebecca Clifford
I always catch you staring.
You know it's impolite
but you persist, past caring,
each morning and each night.
Your criticisms, harsh and mean,
(for my own good, I'm sure)
are caustic medicines that seem
too bilious a cure.
Deceptive kinfolk of your ilk
have fawned and cooed and told me
my hips are slim, my skin, like milk.
They've fooled me, bought and sold me.
But when I dare to ask your view
"Does this make me look fat?"
You loose your vicious tongue and spew
"You dare to ask me that!"
We get up close to inspect
each blackhead and each pore,
each imperfection and defect
of sallowness or sore.
You smugly reprimand me
that I'm truly what I eat
and go on to remind me
"More fruit and veg, less meat."
So never mind how rosy-hued
the visions of my youth
might hint of things I've rued,
I know you'll tell the truth.
The past is passed, so let it go.
Comeuppances will find me.
Regardless if I'm fast or slow,
my past figures behind me.
I often wish your keen retort
was all a cruel hoax,
for my behind's a soft spot
and the butt of many jokes.
My sister thumps and bangs the jamb
but I don't really hear her
involved completely as I am
in conference with my mirror.
About the Poet
Rebecca Clifford resides in Caledonia, Ontario, Canada.
Read the poet's biography on Rebecca Clifford's Artist Page.
This poem is included in Poetry World #14, published in the Wax Poetry and Art Library.
Keywords: body dysmorphia
Previously published in Eleventh Transmission:
Soul Free
by Steven Bonato
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