Poem

[jimpage363]

I first saw my own menstrual blood on the end of my father’s penis

Fathers and menstruation are not a natural fit.

Lisa’s daughter had her first period and shrieked with joy to her father

Demanded mini-pads

Danced with her mother in the kitchen

Cheeks reddened by the pinch of her grandmother’s fingers,

soft, soft Savta*


Menstruation is for mothers.

They know; should know; don’t know

No

Deafened by showers, sleeping mothers

Might as well be fathers.







* “Savta”= Heb., Grandmother