Oh when and how did the world change?

When did it gain this obsession so strange?

Why have people become lean and mean?

When did dieting and exercising become routine?

On the streets, why do people stare?

How is it fine to pry in another’s affair?

I detect a foe in a friend

When they declare, 'You are rotund!’

 But ‘I have a mirror!’ I want to scream

And it’s a lot kinder to my self-esteem!

 Alas! laymen have turned doctors puking advice

When did imbeciles become so wise?

I open the door to take a peek

Before I dart into the street

'Too late' ! I give a shriek

It’s that skin and bone chick

That wears chic boutique!

She catches me as I try to slink

And sermonizes without a blink

She talks of Zumba, she talks of Pilates

I stand mortified at her antics!

She talks of aerobics and calisthenics

Dispensing information without ethics

In the park people practise yoga

I simply shrug and munch my nougat

But when I turn my head in disdain

I find hordes descending to train

The park is awash with joggers sharp

Not one there for a lark, or with a harp!

I visit the doctor and he eyes me all grave

‘Desert the desert, stock up on salad

Do you want an early ticket to the grave?

Shun the sugar

Shun the salt

Shun the flour

Shun the rice

Shun all things white!’

But aren’t angels always dressed in white?

I want to tell everyone out there

My size is my privilege I don’t care

One can be fat and still be fit!

A life spent in calorie and sit up count

Has no space for the things that really count!

So, I will sit in the park and admire the trees

I will hear bird song and the buzz of the bees

I will enjoy the breeze by the sea in the morning Sun’s glow

Instead of fretting, bawling, regretting not being size zero!