I’m sure you’re fine

You sound like you’re on the rag—
Sounds so much worse
Than bad, when it’s not
A funny male colleague at work
But your boyfriend who you trust
Taking cheap shots at you.

Watching and waiting
Every month, making plans
Around an unwelcome visitor
Only to find out,
Surprise!
It’s here,
On your special day
When you really could
Do without a cramping body.
And when I say body
What I mean is a map.

A map of aches—
Tummy ache, back ache,
Headache, heartache,
From all the men saying
You’d feel better if you smiled,
From all the women saying
I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that much
It doesn’t for me—
It does, but I admit,
Less than I hurt when you
Took my pain for granted,
Said I’m sure you’re fine—
Thought I’m sure you lied—
Said anything but
I get it.
It hurts.

Penned by : Rtr. Nethmi Marcus