Ensuring Her Rites…
Mystery of the Menses
by Sunny
for Perfect Storm
(2008)
Nobody taught me that
my menstrual cycle
was a thing to celebrate,
to revere.
There was no
rites of passage ceremony
performed by my community
to show me.
Nevertheless,
I feel the energy
and know the power.
Eve’s taste
of the so-called forbidden fruit
is not cause
for the suffering.
The source
of suffering
is the absence of knowledge,
self-knowledge.
Those resources
have been snatched
and withheld.
Menstruating women
are perceived as wicked
PMS having,
pathetic bitches
unable to participate
in communion,
to bathe,
to swim,
or wear white.
“Give her space…
she’s on her rag.”
Visits from Aunt Flo are
associated with the susceptibility to
toxic shock syndrome,
headaches,
bloating,
drama
and depression;
drugs like Motrin
and Advil,
behaviors like binging,
and cursing.
Au contraire,
the menstruating woman
is a charm,
a goddess for a spell,
a blessing.
Not only does her vagina,
the labyrinth to her soul,
have a monologue…
so does her blood,
the warm, rich red ocean
that nurtures and empowers.
We should be taught
to not just
Talk to Her
but Listen to Her,
Yemonja Yoni Yin.
Her wisdom
is not to be
ignored
or diminished.
Her cycles
tell us the time.
She must be encouraged
to dream
and reflect,
to speak
and move.
…because
we need her
wisdom,
mercy
and love
to survive.
The Rise Up 