Here is a beautiful poem from Sophie Szew about her survival story with her eating disorder. It is so important that we feel safe to share these vulnerable stories about the difficult times in our lives. All of us have struggles, yet only a small amount of us actually see the struggles of others. Why is this? What can we do ourselves to create more spaces where not only we, but others feel that they can share their personal struggles and be heard without fear of judgment. I am talking about really heard too. These are some questions I am asking myself and I encourage you to reflect on them as well.

Feel free to comment here or message me if you feel called to do so. I am still accepting submissions until the week of June 7th. Email them to me at: ishvaraconnections@gmail.com. Please also include a little bio about yourself and what this project means to you (only if you want).

Here is a bit about Sophie, “Sophie Szew is an 18-year-old Jewish-Latina-American from LA who started writing poetry while she was on her deathbed. Now recovered from a life-threatening eating disorder, she uses her writing as an advocacy platform. She is an apprentice at BreakBread Literacy Project and is published in TABC, Jewtina, FEAST, The Dillydoun Review, and Tipping the Scales Journal. When not writing, Sophie spends her time teaching unaccompanied, undocumented migrant children or building up the numerous organizations she is involved with, including the Youth Latinx Leadership Conference, DemystifiED Corp., and Born This Way Foundation.”

My Real Battle Scars

My real battle scars

Never hurt

But when I look at them

I see pain

My real battle scars

Never burned

With sweaty soreness

And a bloody sting

My real battle scars

Snake around my thighs

Bright as fresh venom

And bite my soul

My real battle scars

Make my secrets glisten

So the mirror can cackle

And fog up with distortion

My real battle scars

Are disgusting

Are shocking

Are repelling

Are beautiful

Thank you so much Sophie for sharing this intimate poem with us and opening up about your struggles with your eating disorder as it relates to oppression.