Comfortable With Myself

By John I. Blair

My soft-bellied, bulgy, bony self
Caused me grief when I was young.
Shy beyond belief, I hid,
Sure I was gross, awkward, fat.

Today I’ve survived the awkwardness.
At times I’m gross indeed, no doubt,
But at my age I’m at peace with that.
At my age I’m just glad I’m here.

Now when I look into a mirror
I pause to smile at what I see,
Long since rid of my fear, no more
Hostage to another’s tongue.

I’ve no one to answer to but me,
No one else to live up to—
And though a hard critic I can be,
Of critics I’m the quickest to forgive.

©2003 John I. Blair
Encore