FLAT OR BUSTPHOTOGRAPHY & COMMENTARY BY ALLIE MERRICK

This is dedicated to all small breasted women.

THE WORLD IS NOT FLATA POEM

PREPARE FOR LANDINGA CONVERSATION

THE MANY USES OF DUCT TAPEA LIST OF ACCESSORIES

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONSA CLICHE

THE PINK PROPOSALA TRUE STORY

WHAT’S YOUR SIZE?A QUESTION

FLATA POEM

RIBBEDA THOUGHT

FLAT OR BUSTA LIST OF OPTIMISTIC FACTS

THE WORLD IS NOT FLAT

THE WORLD IS NOT FLATA POEM

The world may not be flat,but I am and I’m fine with that.The world is round with curves,contoured for the purpose it serves.Not me. I am straight with lines,sketched by my mother’s and father’s designs.While society carves coveted shapes,I’ll not hide behind padded drapes.The world may not be flat,but I am and I’m fine with that.

PREPARE FOR LANDING

PREPARE FOR LANDINGA CONVERSATION

“Allie, you are like O’Hare.”

“As in the airport? Because I’m international?”

“Like the airport, but because you’re flat.You’re so flat that a plane could use your chest for a landing strip.”

(Yes. Teenage boys can be mean.)

THE MANY USES OF DUCT TAPE

THE MANY USES FOR DUCT TAPEA LIST OF ACCESSORIES

There are many ways to use duct tape. Besides holding up a muffler or taping a moving box, there are many more daily uses.Here are just a few:

- Bra

- Purse

- Tie

- Bracelet

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONSA CLICHE

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

Forget the lemonade, I say.That’s all too cliche.Make a lemon meringue pie.There’s no reason not to try.Do the best with what you’ve got,even if it’s not a lot.

THE PINK PROPOSAL

THE PINK PROPOSALA TRUE STORY

Unable to find a bra that fit me properly, I went to the experts for help.I walked into Victoria’s Secret and approached an associate.“I’d like to put my breasts in your hands,” I said.To clarify, I added, “Not literally.”

“Figuratively, I’m sure,” she replied.

“That’s just the problem though - my figure. I don’t have one,” I explained.

She corrected me with assurance that all women have a figure.“It’s just that some have more or less curves than others,” she continued.“Let’s not find a bra that you fit. Let’s find a bra that fits you.”(I liked her positive perspective.)

I proceeded to try on many bras in many styles.Even those with the very smallest cup size were all too big for me.After all options were exhausted, the tireless associate was still determined to help me.She proposed that I take a look at their PINK line. For those of you who are not familiar, PINK is the name of their line for teenagers.

A final defeat was realized when even these options weren’t small enough.Or was it me who wasn’t large enough?Either way, I didn’t find a bra I fit.Nor did I find a bra that fit me.

WHAT’S YOUR SIZE?

WHAT’S YOUR SIZE?A QUESTION

Q: What’s your cup size?A: I don’t have one.That is, the only cup I have is the one I use for tea.And that’s really all I need for me.For what I lack, I won’t resent.I’ve trained myself to be content.

Speaking of training...They say training pays off. However, this isn’t always so.I wore a training bra when I was young.Alas, after years of training, my breasts were never promoted to an official cup size.In fact, to this day they maintain the same rank they did when I was thirteen.

That said, as long as I have a cup to hold my tea,that will suffice and is fine with me.You see, I am more than just a size.We are all much more than most realize.

FLAT

FLATA POEM

Flat as a board is what you see,but bored is something I’ll never be.What I lack in bustI deliver in trustwith stories I shareto relate and comparewith others of the same designwho have a body built like mine.My heart on my sleeve, I get it off my chest,by expressing & confessing as only I know best.There’s no need to wish for what you’re not,once you love the body you’ve got.It’s who you are not what you areThat in this life will get you far.There is no need to pad your form,if you refuse to conform to the norm.Embrace the body you were given.Stop loathing and start livin’.Flat as a board you may bebut that’s just fine if you ask me.

RIBBED

RIBBEDA THOUGHT

Inhale.My chest rises, ribbed by its internal cage.Armor for my breath & pulse,my ribs do more than earn their wage.

Exhale.My chest falls,giving way to exhalation.Preparing with purposefor the next inhalation.

My breasts are present, but passive.Proportionate in form to function - not massive.

FLAT OR BUST

FLAT OR BUSTA LIST OF OPTIMISTIC FACTS

A small bust can provide one with a large number of benefits.Here are just a few that come to mind:

- the ability to comfortably sleep on your stomach

- no need for a breast reduction

- wearing a bra is optional

- no need to restrain your chest with multiple sports bras when running

- no guys gawking at your cleavage

Without a full bust to provide distraction, attention shifts to other assets you have to offer.The question then becomes, what do you have to offer?It’s more than you may realize.

In this world that insists that you race,be sure you go at your own pace.Use the body and mind you know.On your mark. Get set. Go.

About the Author

My name is Allie Merrick. With authenticity as my destination, it’s Flat or Bust for me. The day I stopped padding my form and started accepting my size is the same day I decided to create this concept. May we all learn to love our form and focus on our function. -AM

Allie Merrick is the creator and director of The Allie Way (www.theallieway.org). In addition, she is the NW Wine Correspondent for Northwest Wines To You, a columnist for Women’s Lifestyle Magazine & co-host of My Wine Words.