What is a monthly process that we despise?
What is a curse occluded by maternity's guise?
What reaches beyond generational trauma and cries?
What was Eve cursed with by plucking the Fruit of the Wise?
Lovie, you know what I am talking about.
It's the time of the month I want to shout
Out my lungs and heart through mouth or snout:
Yet I feel so lonely that I just rest and pout.
I submitted my paper yesterday for peer-review,
The government's thrilled and announcement's in queue,
It's been in the works for a year now, a grand reveal is due --
Yet I feel naught but gloom and doom though I know it's askew.
I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I HATE IT!
I am smart and pretty, full of glee and wit,
Yet I can't help but feel like a piece of shit
And scream in silence with a hot pack and treats.
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140,083 Literary Works • 672,994 Reviews
Disclaimer: I am a guy and I don't experience what Lavender is experiencing in this poem, so I've tried my best to illustrate it based on conversations with the women in my life who have had difficult times dealing with it. As to why I wrote a poem about it even though it's not an issue for me personally, I just felt like it wouldn't be realistic for an anthology of poems written over a month between two lesbians not to have this as a topic in any one of them. Also, I just wanted to write it because I could. That's all, thanks.
Yours sincerely,
The Rebel
Hello Rebel, this one gets to be a review! This is Alex, all ready to dive right in ~
Oh how, this was something! Love that you're portraying very real problems here, gives even more credibility to the realistic aspect of the series. Like if someone told me this is an actual exchange between two lesbian women, I wouldn't even think twice before believing it. It's logical for the menstruation to hit in, given it is a collection of around 30 poems and each menstrual cycle is about that long too- but the way you devote a couplet to represent it is quite devoted and noble on your end. The pinned comment was also incredibly sweet! I think as guys, the responsibility to make women comfortable talking about it kinda falls on us as well. I hate the taboo surrounding it, and we can only break it together. Works such as yours go a long way in encouraging people to look at it in a healthy and normal way.
Combining biology, history and mythology to add such depth to something people rarely think so deeply about- I'm impressed!
A little unconventional but I personally loved the break here. In a way, it makes me imagine that Lavender takes a break in dialogue here due to the excruciating pain of cramps. It's impactful imagery, even if unintended.
Hmm.. both snout and mouth rhyme and make sense, but come off too worry when included together. I feel like you should choose either, for the sake of flow.
This is good, but I think it could benefit from some formatting innovation. Maybe a mix of italics and caps would look more appealing here? Just a thought!
The meaning fits but unfortunately it didn't feel so rewarding to read personally, especially for the ending.
The self awareness to realise nothing's bad about her, but the helplessness of going through those emotions anyways is quite powerful writing! She's a force of nature, but a prisoner to her own body. I find it comparable to how humans are limitless, but held back by constraints of morality, attachment and habits.
Overall, wonderful portrayal of something completely natural and thus beautiful. You give justice to the struggle, and I like how this is one of the riddles with a much obvious answer but there's a good reason for it to be easy really. You're making much progress normalising such talks Rebel, one step at a time. Bravo! That's all I have for now, wonderful message. Until next time ~
Love, Alex
Thanks for the review once again, Alex!
Oh yeah, I guess I could add some italics on that final "I HATE IT!". Also, glad that you liked my portrayal! 😁
Oh, and what about the 2nd I hate it being italics? I just really like that idea of alternating italics, but the last being essentially louder in all caps if it makes sense lol
Well let's see what makes you nervous abt this one, shall we?
...the answer is apparent immediately. XD Just from your comments ^^
I think your poem reflects this pretty well, don't be so nervous. You're good.
Also nice of you to pick up a topic that's often pretty neglected, even (or maybe especially?) when women/ppl who bleed are actually successful and on top of the world.
I also really appreciate the info on where Lavender is right now, in her job in her RL
I am so relieved that you think so! :p
Personally, I was like: It would just be ignorant, and in fact weird, to have a month-long anthology and not either of the two female leads talk about it. Also, I am glad that you like the storyline, I didn't really know how to create a coherent storyline through two distinctly different styles of poetry but I guess it worked out?
Thanks again! Keep reading! :p