It all starts

small

It seems

insignificant

Harmless

I'm just trying to be healthy

I'm just trying to get leaner

I'm

just

trying

Can't you see

that I'm

trying?

Can't you see

the pain?

Did you know

there was pain?

Did you know

I was in pain?

Did you know?

Did you notice?

Why did no one notice?

That I was in pain

that it started out harmless

but became

dangerous

and all-consuming

and inescapable

That I couldn't stand the idea

of food

of people's judgment

of my body

of myself

How did no one notice?

How did

I

not notice

soon enough to save

myself

I guess we all

can't be

our own heroes

without some help

and the willingness

to ask for it