Menstruation

When my best friend bled 

for the first time,

her mother hugged her 

and thanked Almighty 

as her beloved daughter 

finally reached the threshold 

of her womanhood. 

She cooed away her 

menstrual cramps 

and fussed greatly over 

all her tantrums.

She treated us all 

to pizzas and shakes 

that made the coming of age 

so very special. 

But I couldn't help remembering 

the cold silence of my mother, 

not a fortnight ago,

when she  forbade me to

enter the household temple

or touch the lime pickle 

I so much loved. 

- Neha Bansal