I was in the 9th grade,
The first time I got my period.
I used to always hear about it from my friends.
Mama treated it as something normal.
She told me about it before I got it.
But I used to be embarrassed by it,
And didn’t want anyone at home to know when I had it,
Especially my brothers.
It made me very tired sometimes,
And they sometimes noticed.
But now, I let them buy pads for me.
I don’t hide them anymore.
I leave them out in plain sight.
I’ve learned that it’s not something wrong,
And that I shouldn’t hide my pads,
Or sleep all day,
Or fast when I’m tired.