RED

Red People talk about the word red, They say red is a shameful thing. It’s a taboo to be mentioned in public. Oh, wait—let’s call it by its name: menstrual period. They don’t think about the monthly pains, The cramps, the tiredness, the aching back, The bottom pains, the pounding headaches, Or the shame of red stains on our pants. But the pain is our strength. The cramps are proof that we overcome Month after month, our battles, our struggles, Our private storms and silent challenges. Society sees red as a taboo, Something to be hidden, To be ashamed of, Never to be talked about. Male teachers shy away from the topic in schools. Parents avoid the conversation at home. And so, society shames girls and women For something natural, powerful, and pure. A student once asked me, “Miss, what is menstruation?” I smiled and asked, “Didn’t they teach you that in school?” She shook her head and said, “No. Our male teacher told us to ask our parents.” And that’s when I knew — Silence is the real shame, Not the blood.