Due to ESPN magazines upcoming "body issue" I was inspired to write the following... (more info/ words from me follow the piece.)
“A Body of Work” By: Eric S. Syty
From the bridge of the nose to the tip, then onto a set of moist, red lips.
From the pride of a Man or Woman’s chin to the strength of their shoulders.
From the bulging biceps of Man, sit pretty do the breasts of a Woman.
From hands that point to Man’s abs or hands that hold a Woman’s mounded stomach.
From the curve of their hips, wrap around the thickness of their thighs.
From a pair of locked or bent boney knees, over the flexed-humped calves.
From the bottom of the two pillars that hold them, Man and Woman work their soles…
Be not embarrassed by what you have been given or what you lack.
Do not be ashamed of your make, we all hail from a different mold.
Stand proud among all or all alone; with your chin held high—chest out.
Feel privileged with the outside, more importantly on the inside.
Never flaunt what you have, but do not be scared to show what you are.
Work to wear it proudly, there is no disgrace in what makes you—you.
No matter what size and or shape, the truth is that it is all yours.
Never ask for a trade, but if you must, make the change you yearn for.
Black and blue, chiseled and sculpted, wavy and wobbly it is you.
Whether bound by clothes made of cotton or free as the west wind.
Whether set in the motions of work or the liberations of play.
Whether as wide as a dozen red wood or thin as a toothpick.
Whether stretched out eight feet tall or compressed compact a four feet small.
Whether Woman lacking the wavy lines of a runway goddess.
Whether Man, scrawny, fashioned with visible markings of his ribs.
Whether Woman, blessed with a chest full of breast or a round behind.
Whether Man, tall dark and handsome, muscles on muscles head to toe.
Whether Man’s or Woman’s—each BODY is a perfect…mas-ter-piece.
------
For those of you who do not know what the Body Issue is, you can either look it up for or continue reading for a little synopsis from me.
The body issue is an edition that ESPN has been doing since 2009, and once a year they have a photo shoot with a range of athletes from football and soccer players to fighters and roller derby girls. The purpose of the issue is not to boast or show off one's body, but to display it is art, or as a piece of someone. They take the time to show the time and effort that athletes into their bodies. While most of the athletes used are tone and fit, ESPN wisely branches to those with different body types, such as sumo wrestlers.
For a great mini preview in to the world of it, click the following link ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5fvd6sCCXo ) in which ESPN was inspired by Walt Whitman's poem "I sign the Body Electric".
For a while now I have found myself really fascinated with the human body, no matter what make or shape, male or female. I think that first seeing a bit of ESPN's work last year really set that in motion. And while I am not sure why, but there is something so beautiful about the human body.
Any ways, for those more interested the magazine issue comes out this Friday (October 7th.. i believe), or just go off and search the many videos, and photographs that ESPN offers up on the topic.
Quote of the day by me: "A dream is something any one can achieve, but making that dream a reality is something not all seek, believing you can achieve it is the first step to that reality."
