-by Linzy Garica

I’ve had my period 114

times, and what do I have

to show for it? Embarrassing

stories, a birth control prescription

history, and a red perspective

on what it means to be a woman.

So far, I have dodged pregnancy,

though I could have baked

nine babies by now.

Now, I crave to

make life with my

life.

Now, I want to

name the next

generation

after the last and teach

them everything I know

about family and love.

Instead, I lay next to

my husband-to-be, who’s

burned-out by his four little accidents,

and I bleed disappointment.