Come dear child

Yes you,

The one with the out of control life

And feelings of confusion

Stumble into my arms

They’re open and waiting for you

I will protect you from all the change and uncertainty

That life keeps tossing your way

Let me soothe your hurt

And bandage your wounds

Listen to the gentle cadences of my voice

Close your eyes and let me sweep you away

To a place where things are black and white

Instead of endless shades of gray

When I count to three

You will open your eyes

And look in the mirror

And see fat and curves clinging to your bones

You will be disgusted with yourself

The way you are now

But no worries I can help you change

Just come to me dear child

And play some of my games

First we’ll play a game called

Follow the leader

Look in these fashion magazines

Those skinny models are the leaders

And you will follow them

They’re you’re idols

Nothing else matters besides getting as thin as them

Forget about school, homework, and chores

You have a new hobby now

Tell mom you’re sorry

But Ana’s here to play

Time to play a game called hide and seek

You hide the food that’s on your plate

And when no one’s looking

Flush it down the toilet or pour it down the drain

See how much fun we’re having already?

The next game’s limbo

How low can you go

You’re 103 pounds

But we know you can do better

Lower,

98

Lower,

83

Keep going lower

What’s that dear child?

You say you want to stop?

That the doctors say you’re in danger of dying

Oh you silly child

It’s me that knows best

And I say that we keep playing

And ignore all the rest

Because these games they are for keeps

What is this

Why are you lying in that hospital bed so still

Why are the doctors pulling a white sheet over you?

Oh no,

Not another child dead,

Oh well, I’ll find more.