The Blood Blues

By Vandana Nagar

In the lonely corner of the house

she sits, all by herself

Uncared, unattended and

ignored, for 'She is impure',

they said.

How she longs

to take a glimpse!

A glimpse of her family

feasting in the festivities.

A feast that she prepared

with so much love and care,

just before she began to bleed.

They glorify her as goddess

but she's tabooed in the temple.

She is barred to bear

the holy marks, or

even touch the holy books.

She is forbidden to cook

in her own kitchen.

O she's dirty, they say

O she stinks, they say

She emits such rays

that spoils some foods.

O she is such a curse,

her touch can turn

a cow sterile!

She is distanced, isolated

and discomfited.

No, she is not diseased

No, she is not possessed

She is only oozing blood -

The painful menstrual blood!

Then there seems to be

a considerate lot

with a better version though.

They call her strong and powerful,

much more than a goddess herself

and so, she's tabooed in the temple

For, her energy may surpass

the divine might!

She wished she was born

in another clan than hers

where, while being on periods,

she won't be seen as curse!

Which God exactly

did make these norms,

where she cannot

cry out to her creator?

Menstruation is natural.

Why should we shy away?

Why should we restrict?

Let's break the wall

and embrace her

when she bleeds!

By Vandana Nagar