the needle drops lower and lower-
135 becomes 132 becomes 128.
belts are tightened to newly ripped notches,
newly formed bruises covered by fresh denim.
one fourth of a healthy day's energy:
   consumed slowly,
   utilized to its full extent every night
   when heavy breathing and sweaty collarbones
   help her slip into sleep.


*and it was an accident, i swear-
how would i know that seeing this number drop
would make me giggle and make me giddy?
seeing calories go from 2000 to 1000 to 500,
i didn't mean to let this happen.
but floating on hollow bones
has replaced my hideous form of body art,
and so i will continue on this path,
sleep-walking with dizzy eyes
and an empty head.