#napowrimo Day 1 - A Story of the Body

Happy National Poetry Month! I’ve decided to write a poem a day this year using the writing prompts on napowrimo.net.

Day 1’s prompt is to write a prose poem inspired by “A Story of the Body” by Robert Hass:

Day 1 - A STORY OF THE BODY

By Farah Lawal Harris

The extra cushion she padded her midsection with that summer was not for pushing, but for protection and perceived prevention of harm. And a way to keep warm. She entered the gym on a cold Saturday morning in December, adorned in baggy sweats and oversized tee to hide her new body. She kicked herself for allowing herself to be convinced to meet with a personal trainer for a free fitness assessment while purchasing her gym membership. “You need to learn how to say no,” she thought to herself as she arrived fifteen minutes early for her appointment. The personal trainer arrived ten minutes late. She stewed as she waited, aggravated, boiling, and starting steam. When he finally showed up, he scanned the gym floor to find her. Their eyes met. He smiled broadly. She couldn’t help but turn down the mad for a minute, simmer and smile back. She purchased six sessions that day. In the coming months, he helped her shed her protective pounds, still leaving some extra cushion; this time, for pushing. And they smile broadly. Often.

#napowrimo #napowrimo2022