Hush, Hush! Her skirt has a stain
O, What a disdain
Hush, Hush! She needs a pad
To stay free
Hush, Hush! Her cramps
An excuse to not work
Hush, Hush! Don’t touch the pickle
How remarkable!
The society’s superstitions
Hush, Hush! She can’t enter the temple
Cause the able mind is cripple
To Act.
Hush, Hush! Period leave, what now?
Another act of her privilege, they yell.
Hush, Hush!
Her strength torn apart
By the flow
Of the dirty thoughts
And dirtier minds
Who can’t keep calm
Cause I bleed like me.
Hush. Hush!
I tear myself up from head to toe
Every month I gotta flow
Cause you see, I bleed like me.
I bleed like the clouds shower rain
Not afraid of any stain
But I talk about my pain
When the cramps get crazy
And my body gets lazy
To move, or act, or even blink
In my own red world I sink and sink.
Cause you see, I bleed like me.
Hush. Hush!
The cravings and ravings
Go hand in hand
Kisses, both Hershey’s and his
Is what the heart commands
They bring immense relief
To my disbelief, that Meftal is life
Cause you see, I bleed like me.
Hush, Hush!
The workdays are longer
Yet, I am weaker and stronger
Against all odds and meetings
Like the pain on my back
That lingers and doesn’t leave
Cause you see, I bleed like me.
Hush, Hush!
My cup is empty
On day six
Now I mark my calendar
For the next month, twenty eight or thirty
I never know. But as of now
My period is done
Cause you see, I bleed like me.
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The prose has been written to highlight how every menstruator’s journey through their period cycle is different. Every bleeding body is unique and deserves the same kind of love, care, compassion and nurturing. We are already late, but the silence and taboo around menstruation needs to be broken in our homes, schools, colleges, communities, workplaces and public/private spaces. This is a small step towards sharing my period story on most months; and how I’ve grown in my understanding of this process and its intersections with society, culture, health, gender, sexuality, sustainability, economics and politics.
P.S. – Artwork is original and created by the author