I remember that day like it was yesterday,
My mother called my father and we went home again.
“You’re lucky we spotted it.
Bring some rice, Magesh. You please sit.”
Four days after that day,
Family and friends came to celebrate.
“This isn’t a joyful occasion,” I screamed.
But you see,
My first period is a sign of my reproductive capability.
“And it’s tradition to celebrate it.”
Or so she said.
“Do not enter the kitchen.
Do not hang out with men.
Do not run or exercise.
Just those four days be quiet.”
If I’d lived by their rules, I’d have failed every class,
Made no friends,
Met no men.
If I’d lived by their rules, I wouldn’t have lived at all.
But I had a father who hated tradition,
“She wants water, she’ll walk into the kitchen.
She’s not a princess, you’re not her boss.
It’s just her period. It doesn’t change it all.”
Eleven years later, headed to a party,
A colleague stood by me.
As I bought *shhh*, the other nudged my shoulder,
“Told you not to buy it.”
Please do tell me – DOESN’T HIS WIFE GET HER PERIOD?
I’ll be honest,
My moods do change
My emotions run high
My irritation stays.
But here’s the thing – it’s not always about those four days.
When I’m angry, I’m not bleeding.
When I’m crying, I don’t have cramps.
When I’m flustered, I’m not PMS-ing.
When I’m laughing, it hasn’t passed.
So don’t ask me if it’s “one of those days”
Don’t roll your eyes when you see me cry.
Don’t talk about pads like a sinful secret,
It’s not shameful. I don’t have to hide.
So I get my period,
There’s no reason to lie.
It’s just another day.
It’s just a Crimson Tide.
Loud Thoughts Voiced Out 
Unapologetic and honest, this is what makes good writing. When I’m angry, I’m not bleeding.
“When I’m crying, I don’t have cramps.
When I’m flustered, I’m not PMS-ing.
When I’m laughing, it hasn’t passed.”
^^^^^
The stigma and the dialogue around periods is prehistoric. It needs to change. Thank you for sharing this.
I used to feel so embarrassed when I had to buy sanitary products for my periods. It took me ages to get over that and realise that ‘hey, it’s my body, this is nothing to be ashamed of’ and not worry about people spotting pads in my shopping basket.
Great honest poem.
I’m assuming you’re from India as you have mentioned that the onset of menstrual cycle is celebrated. I personally never understood the motive behind that tradition honestly.
A poem that can make anybody ponder for two minutes and longer. Great post!
I’m assuming you’re from India as you have mentioned that the onset of menstrual cycle is celebrated. I personally never understood the motive behind that tradition honestly.
A poem that can make anybody ponder for two minutes and longer. Great post!