Hiding Places

By Danielle Bennett

Around 10, I check my body cavity for potential hiding places.

I see the space other girls take up, I wonder how they became so good at folding into themselves to minimize surface area. I learn sucking in the stomach is a useful tactic.

Around 20, I have to unclench my abdomen consciously as I have concluded someday this could give me some kind of cancer.

I impress the young girl in me who is corset tugging my intestines.

She whispers it is noticeable when you let go, so I don’t.

She assures cancer doesn’t come for a long time and your case isn’t proven.

So, I straighten the back and push the gut back into its place parallel to the hip bones.

Around 10, I am researching where to buy ipecac.

Checking my book cases for potential hiding places.

I heard your stomach doesn’t fight back because it doesn’t have time to.

Around 20, I am healthy and conscious of cancer.

I impress the young girl in me who knew that cigarettes kept you skinny.

She mentions, a little less frequently, that the cancer will not find home in the body until

I’m around 55.

The collagen supplements I took at 20 haven’t prevented the wrinkles,

And my stomach does not pass the wall test.

The anxiety gave me the cancer.

I check my body cavity for hiding places to minimize the concern.