Ode To
Menstruation I remember pleading for you to arrive You came with the idea of finally being a woman In my mind you were idolized Even put on a pedestal I can’t say I wasn’t warned I ignored it as if it was fine print on a contract
You seemed like you had a lot to offer Puberty, the flourishment from a girl to a young woman Instead, you brought pain And nothing less It felt like once I signed the contract I would be promoted Rather I was scammed I felt foolish for disregarding all the warnings Every month I despise your arrival Unexpected and unannounced, you ruin everything You ruin my clothes, my plans, and my emotions what can’t you bungle in my life? Advil no longer does the job I rely on a heating pad and Midol barely getting me through the day Your constant stabs at my ovaries aren’t any help I am not your personal punching bag I deserve some more respect You hold a grip on my emotions like no other You make me look like a baby for crying over the stupidest things You make me look cold hearted for snapping at people for no reason You control so many things I feel disgusting and bloated when your around You make me want to crawl inside my bed and stay there forever The thought of having you around for YEARS sickens me You won’t go away You make your grand appearance Once a month Leaving everything in shreds And then disappearing once again I want you gone This time for good In the end I am the one to blame As I should’ve been the one to read the fine print closer Before signing off to this agony Leah Jimenez, 10
free verse poetry
09
