OUR WINNING POEM

Aspen says: “This poem is a letter to my anorexia. I’ve been battling it for three years, and in recovery for six months. For so long I saw my body as an object made to be dressed up and shown off, hence my description of it as a washing pile and the need to hide under layers of fabric. Putting these thoughts to paper helped me to detach from defined beauty standards and think of myself in a better light.”

With the rise of global Westernisation, technological advances and cultural shifts, the growing idea of an ideal body shape and size has affected almost all parts of the world. At least nine per cent of the population (both male and female) suffer from eating disorders. We applaud Aspen for writing her poem in an effort to help not only herself, but others who may be struggling with eating disorders.

For details on how to enter the MiNDFOOD Poetry Competition, go to page 127.