The Shine Journal
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Beneath Her Pigtails
by
Melissa Dalis
Laughs
Soccer star
Brightest smile
Dancer and singer
Prettiest outfits
Popular girl
Happy.
Walks home alone
School was fine, Mom
Quickly running to her room
Screaming and crying into her hands
Only her stuffed animals will know
A whole world beneath her pigtails
Hiding behind closed doors
No one to talk to
Alone.
Rips off dress
Steps onto the scale
Puts hands over her eyes
Only ten pounds until perfection
Glances at the cottage cheese on her legs
Sweaty sit-ups during Disney channel breaks
Cuts out pictures of Barbie dolls as her thinspiration
Throws mom's dinner out the window for the birds outside
Found with a pink toothbrush and head lying over a toilet of lettuce
But she was perfect.
Motivation:I typically identify my greatest passion as mathematics, but my struggles with eating disorders have inspired me to create this piece.
Bio: Melissa Dalis is from Atlanta, Georgia. Her journalism experience includes being the Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook for my school, editor of the literary magazine, and an internship at a Philadelphia magazine.
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Email TSJ: Editor: Pamela Tyree Griffin
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