First Blood Poem by Maddi Eden

Hushed whispers
Of my elders
What are they talking about?

Illumination.
Ew, so gross!
Why would girls put up with it?

Anticipation.
Don't let me be last.
I want to be a real woman.

Realisation.
That first clot of blood.
Forever etched in my memory.

My time of the month - 'I can't swim today, Mamma'
'Why not? ' the little ones clamour
A mysterious smile: oh, just a girl thing.

An annoyance.
To be avoided - left without provision -
Darnit! should have kept an eye on the calendar.

I guess it's all part of growing up.
That first blood: girls crave, then roll their eyes.