excerpts from ‘the becoming’

i have a new stretch mark on my tummy
that looks just like a constellation
for days i rubbed coconut oil on it
desperate for it to disappear
then one night i walked outside
and mother universe held me
and asked why i am trying to rid of the stardust
she sprinkled on me in congratulations
for not being afraid to take up more space
the stars cheered
and i cried
and we walked until night became dawn
as she told me how we really are one
after all

forgive yourself for the strange men
you let in your bed and in your head

forgive yourself for drowning your organs
in alcohol until they floated like loofahs

forgive yourself for turning your heart to stone
so no one could get in and you could not get out

forgive yourself for harboring your childhood
inside your chest and using it as an excuse to hurt people

forgive yourself for looking for the love
you needed to give yourself in everyone who is not you

forgive yourself for still being angry
for still being scared
for still being in love

you were surviving

dear one

still are

Mackenzie Hunt is a writer, artist, plant mama, and behavioral therapist just trying to make it one week in Los Angeles traffic without crying. You will likely find her with her face buried in a book or dancing around her apartment with red wine in hand. Her debut collection of poetry, The Becoming, was published in 2018 and can be found on Amazon. Check her out at www.instagram.com/mackenziehuntpoetry :-)