one ten means beauty.
one ten mean you're worth it.
one ten means all the stomach pains
dieting
calorie counting
and claiming you're just “not hungry”
was worth it.

You step onto the frigid machine once more.
As you do at every dawn
and every dusk.
The translucent screen stares up at you
pondering what number it will show.
The number which will decide what meals you will consume
and if you will be able to achieve
any peace of mind today.

The monster finishes thinking
and the number one ten flashes at you
like the winning lottery number on tv.
A sudden wave of joy
accomplishment
and relief.

But then a thought.
one ten is ugly.
one hundred is beautiful.

This cycle of ugly and beautiful will continue.
Until you wither away from all the
dieting
calorie counting
and claiming you're just “not hungry”.