Once a month
Every month
There is no way to cancel
This subscription will automatically renew
Unless!
You’d like to ingest some hormone-altering pills
Or perhaps!
Push a copper device deep within
Once a month
Every month
The same cadence as a full moon
A slow build to a reliable burst of pain
Unless!
You get pregnant :)
Or perhaps!
Have menopause :)
Otherwise - let’s resume the cycle, please
Once a month
Every month
Hopeful eyes scan the month
Praying plans play out peacefully, pain-free
Once a month
Every month
You balance pads, tampons, on your lap
In public restrooms designed with ignorance to your anatomy
So perhaps!
You will stay home
Or perhaps!
Feel that is “weak”
So perhaps!
You “suck it up” and “move on”
Once a month
Every month
Young ones come to mind
The ones left - bleeding out
In your mother’s land
Unable - to go to school
Unable - to get pads
Unable
Dis - abled
Able bodies
Once a month
Every month
There is effort: control your feelings
On behalf of women everywhere: do not emote
A wrestle with raw nature
A mountain fighting its own breeze
Everest - aspiring
To be liked
Or perhaps!
You will retreat - to unburden them with your swings
To tuck away the unsightly
Stay unseen
Once a month
Every month
You watch him run on, unencumbered
With resentment
Jealousy
Rage
Or perhaps!
You “honor your body”
Or perhaps!
“Rest when you need”
As anger bubbles
Simmering
As you bleed
Once a month
Every month
You question this womanhood thing
About this reframe of “resilience” - and who it’s for
But once a month
Every month
Somehow, you rise
Resilience (unrequested)
Yet born.
