Thumbelina

by Francesca Lia Block

I’ve had to be small
Bathe-in-a-seashell size
Sleep-in-a-matchbox size
Hide-in-a-teacup size
So that I’d be love-able
I’ve had to stop eating
To fit into his jeans
To fit into his arms
To fit on the futon
To not consume him
No New York Times list
No Hollywood movie
No red-soled shoes
No meat, no dairy
No days without exercise
No feeling too pretty
So as not to outgrow him
So as not to lose him