She’s the loving aunt who demonstrates it

by cooking your special treat, by insisting you eat,

by hurt feelings if anything remains of a feast

that would have served three times the crowd.

She’s the friend who shared your clothes,

who ate brownies smothered in ice cream

topped off with nuts, whipping cream, cherries,

the friend who wants you back with your faults,

eating again with a co-conspirator.

He’s the grandfather who sees extra pounds
as healthy, as needed, as insurance against

that coming or long past Great Depression,

who can’t stand looking at you without love handles,

without an ample girth.

They may not find your new-found healthy weight

to be comfortable. But it’s a disease. Contagious.

Believe the nutritionist, the doctor, the truth.

It’s okay to have a new body even if it seems strange.