OKAY, ANOTHER UNEXPECTED LITTLE TIDBIT
To My Last Period by Lucille Clifton
Because the year has come to an end, and I am sitting at my desk trying to reconcile the old with the new. Another beginning, starting today. But first, a proper farewell to the year that was:
I wept yesterday, as I agreed with Clifton. Today, I was awoken by cramps and a deluge of red in the toilet bowl. I don't, really, know what to think about all of it; the hair, the periods. Is it a blessing? Someone looking out for me? I just remember talking to Marsue on the phone, from my living room, and a feeling swept over me - strong and sure and I said to her "I'm not losing my hair. It will thin but I am not losing my hair". I had no doubt! I wasn't as sure about my period but, I was pretty sure about that too!
My other aches and pains are moving in slowly (my mouth is dry and feels like I have been eating dry ice). I have to get homework done while I can - a day late! I journaled into the wee hours, though, as my new stand-alone A/C worked it's magic keeping my room comfortable!! $299.00 at Target and worth every penny!!
To My Last Period
Lucille Clifton
well, girl, goodbye,
after thirty-eight years.
thirty-eight years and you
never arrived
splendid in your red dress
without trouble for me
somewhere, somehow.
now it is done,
and i feel just like the
grandmothers who,
after the hussy has gone,
sit holding her photograph
and sighing, wasn’t she
beautiful? wasn’t she beautiful?
I wept yesterday, as I agreed with Clifton. Today, I was awoken by cramps and a deluge of red in the toilet bowl. I don't, really, know what to think about all of it; the hair, the periods. Is it a blessing? Someone looking out for me? I just remember talking to Marsue on the phone, from my living room, and a feeling swept over me - strong and sure and I said to her "I'm not losing my hair. It will thin but I am not losing my hair". I had no doubt! I wasn't as sure about my period but, I was pretty sure about that too!
My other aches and pains are moving in slowly (my mouth is dry and feels like I have been eating dry ice). I have to get homework done while I can - a day late! I journaled into the wee hours, though, as my new stand-alone A/C worked it's magic keeping my room comfortable!! $299.00 at Target and worth every penny!!
