Guest Post: In and Out of the Fold

Guest Post by Keely Richins

Knee length shorts and pregnant bellies,
I’m suddenly an outsider peeking in.
I spot them, who I used to be
Outside in 95 plus degree temps,
Short-sleeved chevron tees and rolled denim shorts
Prove to be quite revealing of my Latter-Day-Saint friends.
Floral, stretchy tops give nod to a bygone trend and leave me reminiscing of floral foyer couches.
My friend side-saddles down beside me in the grass,
Sporting a short-sleeved, sweatshirt material, knee-length dress to weather the garment laden and layered heat wave.
’Inappropriate’ is my thought that is quickly stifled by the hot sun and remembering she must think the same of my tank top and shorts.
Black and white stripes cover her shoulders and knees,
Another textile of Mormonism as familiar to me as scratchy carpeted walls and purple padded pews.
I wipe sweat and pick a phantom wedgie for and in behalf of my friend who is dead from heat stroke
I fixate on the thought that I no longer must fixate on how discreetly I can pick my underwear out from the deep.

This is the summer I breathe in, out, and through

This is the summer I tan my shoulders and find no seams with which to fuss
I shop carefree and with fervor
Light fabrics and various necklines flatter my body and keep me comfortable
I swim in the many choices of inexpensive and practical two pieces
I swat away insecurities and act as if this isn’t the first time my virgin-skinned stomach (aka midriff for those who still observe) meets the sun.
Though practicing friends and family pass furtive glances at my newly exposed limbs,
I live as if no one is tempted by my skin because suddenly I realize that

Truly no one cares

And neither do I

Keely is a reader, runner, proud Utah native, Idaho backpacker, nightgown wearing millennial, friend, and rabbit-owner. She loves to laugh, be outside, and push herself outside of her comfort zone. She lives a thrilling life with a CPA and three kids in a home with a red door.