I stand in front of the mirror
seeing my naked body in all
for the first time in weeks
most nights we camp,
this is only the second time we've gotten a hotel room
during the 3 weeks of our tour
everything's where it should be
tan lines have grown across my shoulders
my hair is frazzled despite a much needed shower last night
& my faithful pooch rests right below my belly button
where she has always been
I feel a sense of failure
had I been expecting a grand transformation?
I think of the things I feed myself day to day
oatmeal smothered with hot chocolate mix & peanut butter
PB&J tortillas for lunch
ice cream & chocolaty granola bars for snacks
french fries when we wish
lentils & tortillas for dinner
occasional potato chips
it doesn't seem that bad when I type it out,
but my cravings for chocolate have been unusually high
these past 3 weeks
& then I kick myself
this body,
she has gotten you over mountains!
she is biking 40-50miles a day for you!
she has adjusted to carry not only you & your bike,
but an additional 50lbs of weight
across deserts for you!
how can you be so ungrateful?!
Bless your arms
& your shoulders!
which have grown so strong
Bless your legs
which pump endlessly for you
sun up to sun down
Bless your pooch!
For at the end of this journey,
it may be the only recognizable trademark left
to connect you from past to present
Give yourself permission to
Feed your body
Fuel your body
Appreciate your body
She is good to you.
Love her.
