Ode To The Period Poem by Judy Meibach

I know that there are those who hate you
as much as me, perhaps
some less, but
I know that with your arrival each month,
28 days, to be more specific,
I am plagued with pain and agony,
anger and annoyance, at
why I am a woman.
and the trials and tribulations, only
affect me and others of my gender.

Men say, 'you're on the rag' -
me, personally feel like a clone of
Mrs. Frankenstein, you know
who she is -
fangs, claws and all that accompanies

I remember that day,
May 10th,1973,
Mr. Skovron's math class,
7th grade,
the white skirt,
the red spot.
It's almost 40 years ago, yet
it seems like yesterday.

Only one year earlier, my mother, the
Gloria Steinem (hah) that she was
told me about you.
She called you 'menstruation'.
Never quite remembered that word
till that fateful Monday!
Kotex, Tampax and the cramps -
My friend Meryl called you
'our friend'
With friends like you -
who needs enemies?

Now they tell me that in a few years
you'll be gone - not a minute too soon -
Three cheers to menopause!