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This PhD research comes with a trigger warning as it exlpores personal experience of poor body image and eating disorders.
Audience discretion is advised.
If you are affected by the issues raised through this work, please reach out to Eating Disorders Association Northern Ireland who are supporting this research, or to one of the other charites listed below if you are from other parts of the UK.
The Turn
The little girl was worn out
her eyes were so occupied
and pretending to be
I do think it
would be nicer to be a butterfly than a little girl
There was going to be a change
May she grow up as good, if not quite as beautiful -
she set herself to hear.
The Birds
all the work that is done,
from all directions.
pass gently two
or three times over her eye lids,
may I open my eyes, please,
I’ll promise to believe whatever you tell me.
She repeated.
The Sting
Feeling a little ashamed
and so dreadfully big;
a little frightened.
tears slowly trickled down her aged
cheeks.
a little girl’s eyes saw.
the dear child is fast
grown
Shattered
“I don’t; and I don’t
I don’t think I want
I want to talk about
things to talk about
I cannot tell you half
I’ll never say again
things to talk about
Unaware of her "I am"
Just let me sit still
snap
the bird got inside
tear
I cannot tell you half
disagreeable
Judgement