Michelle K

You know that dinner party question? If you could have anyone at a dinner party who would you invite? Well Michelle K would definitely be somewhere on the list along with Laura Marling.
She has no published book only a tumblr blog in which she posts her work, which seems to be a very cathartic experience for her and she states she has little interest in publishing her work. Her work resonates very clearly with myself at the moment but I thought this short poem is just perfect. It is her honesty with herself that creates such astounding lines that give such an impact. It is so true even Laura Marling concurs, 'every girl falling in love with the first man that she sees,' women are ready to give love to others and sacrifice parts of themselves for others but cannot accept themselves. This poem really emphasises that idea that women are brought up expected to attract men and marry but we are never taught to love ourselves. We are so ready to fall in love and be loved because we have never loved ourselves and so need to feel accepted. However somewhere in growing up you realise that you must love yourself to be happy. Placing 'myself' on it's own line just emphasises this separation of love from the self. A woman's relationship with her body is complicated in our society but it shouldn't be, we should love it and care for it. This is another of my favourites which I think we can all learn from, to treat your body like a child means that you will be kind to yourself and mend that broken relationship between you and your body.

"I treat myself like I would my daughter. I brush her hair, wash her laundry, tuck her in goodnight. Most importantly, I feed her. I do not punish her. I do not berate her, leave tears staining her face. I do not leave her alone. I know she deserves more.
I know I deserve more."