Finding my menstruation its public space

Christal Yuen on Unsplash

The first time i saw,

lying in my mother’s drawer.

A blue packet of white napkins.

Each shaped like an hour glass.

Excited, but I dare not ask.

What was that napkin for.

Next, i saw ‘ketchup’.

Smeared on my classmate’s skirt.

Hushed quickly into a washroom.

With that plastic napkin again.

This time wrapped in a cloth.

i knew now what it was for.

Then one day, i bled.

And ran to my mother.

She handed me that napkin.

Calling it a pad.

To be worn every month now.

How long for?

How many in a day?

She answered you’ll learn on your own.

When to hold on. When to change.

No more questions, no more.

Then one day, i ran out.

Go fetch some from the chemist, mother said.

With a written slip and exact change.

And stay mum.