F.A.T.

F.A.T.                                  Frannie Zellman

for Eileen Rosensteel and Eileen Lipson


Imagine:
the word "fat" booms proud
from lips,
explodes in pure fricative pride
instead of popping
like some dessicated grain
from the lips of haters.


Imagine
the faces
of trolls who romped
and rolled the word
like sour shock,
hoping to crush
and shame
again.

Imagine:
fat people
say "fat is us,"
raise arms soft and thick
as pleasure,
carry signs:
three letters and periods.
F.A.T.-
Fat Acceptance Tribe.

Our word. Our signs.
Our hopes.

You got a problem with fat?