I have your wailing in my bones
your incessant period pains
you in that bed, women ceremony
deathbed tribe, hold my hand
you loved it religiously
the falling apart, spotlight
you loved to hurt
only then you’d exist
only then they’d pay you attention
come into my room
look, the pain I can endure
you performed a period saint
holy in her bed, leaking
and you disgusted me
because you were so empty
so devoid of life
I’d never seen you smile
you accommodated the violence of men
and found comfort in your period pain
because they wouldn’t touch you then
you’d be safe and felt so strong all of a sudden
as if you could take on the world from your bed
your stained sheets, holding our mother’s rigid hands
Croque-Melpomene 