blacksmith’s daughter grew
she grew big and tall
bigger and taller than everyone
her bones expanded
her skin stretched
none of the villagers want her
blacksmith says, “get smaller
blacksmith’s wife says, “stop growing”
blacksmith’s daughter cries
she yowls and tears at her skin
her flesh and bone is exposed
she removes a bit of flesh
she files down some bone
she endures the pain
the villagers smile at her
so every night she roots around under skin
pulling away pieces of herself
she throws it out
she gives it away
she fits in
blacksmith’s daughter removes herself
leaving almost empty skin
she’s gone
but now the villagers welcome her