In this raw and furious spoken word poem, Only Palatable When Starving, Kate explores the devastating reality of eating disorder recovery that is only accepted when it stays silent and small. After years of starvation, she finally finds her voice — only to be punished for it by the very clinician who once promised to stay.

This piece rages against the betrayal of recovery spaces that demand compliance instead of true healing, and names the painful truth: that for many survivors, being “too alive” is still seen as a threat.

Through powerful imagery of wild gardens, shattered promises, and survival, Kate reminds us that real recovery is messy, untamable, and sacred.

Copyright ©2025 Kate Earley

Music: Solas by Gibran Alcocer

Written: April 25, 2025