My friend told me

Her child was turning five

and there's no more excuses 

not to lose

those ten pounds

after birth

Fit in those jeans

try a new diet

perhaps a dozenth

My dear darling

I wish you could let yourself

just exist

and breathe

and feel

the resonant might

of your perfectly functioning body

May kindness 

hold you tight

and sing comfort

into your ears

May the rhythm

of happy days

pulse in your heels 

and make you dance

in the streets 

as you go 

fetch fresh milk

or perform other

perfectly ordinary task

Stop blaming

your yesterself

for not having the power

you gained today

for today is only the beginning