The Pain of Being a Woman

I take a deep breath

there is lightning in my thighs

pain radiates up my back

my stomach twists

this is the pain of being a woman

there is blood in my underwear

and in my sheets

shame blooms in my chest

heat across my cheeks

this is the pain of being a woman

my hands grip the toilet

nausea overwhelms my senses

vomit in toilet

burning in my throat

this is the pain of being a woman

I ask others if it should hurt

they say its nothing

to******* up

to shut up and move on

this is the pain of being a woman

I lie in bed

heating pad turned on high

midol in my stomach

nothing is changing

this is the pain of being a woman

my doctor asks me questions

I deny

I stay silent

because this is the pain of being a woman