Everyday Poetry

I always describe myself as not religious,  but that's not strictly true.  It's more accurate to say I'm not a Christian because I am quite a spiritual person.  When I was young I believed what I was told.   So when I learnt Father Christmas was a fraud I sent the Easter bunny, tooth fairy and God packing - all fairy tales to soothe young children.  In my teens I briefly thought I had rediscovered God  in the dazzle of sunlight filtering through leaves, and the spirit of hope that filled my heart on one morning walk to school.  Turned out I'd discovered the beauty of nature, the power of a sunfilled spring morning, the crisp freshness of morning air,  the thrill of a life yet to be lived.  I believe there's more truth and beauty  in the natural world around us  the people we choose to surround us, than in all the religions keeping us apart.  © Copyright 2022. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved

I've recently started following people on Instagram who oppose diet culture. Alex Light's book You Are Not a Before Picture was a revelation to me, but it's hard to change after 55 years of believing myself too fat to be worthy of enjoying life to the full, while constantly dieting (and failing to lose weight). This poem encapsulates the tyranny of diet culture.  Held hostage by a gang of voices constant commentary on all my choices whether I should, or should not be eating if it's within the rules, or if it's cheating if I should be moving more that the gym is such a bore they contradict, frustrate, confuse. I shouldn't put up with such abuse but the trouble is, you see all these voices come from me.  © Copyright 2022. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved