Menopause a Poem
By Bev Martin
i will write a separate piece to explain the inspiration behind this poem but for now I hope you enjoy…..
Do we need to beg?
Do we need to scream and cry?
Do we need to silently suffer?
When we’re not ok, just lie?
Our thoughts get dark and scary
Our days get long and dark
Irritable, short, snappy
Bite much worse than bark
Looking in the mirror
The face we know so well
Yet inside we feel like strangers
Trapped in hormonal hell
This long term monthly cycle
Which started in our youth
Gets so much bloody harder
It’s time to speak in truth
For generations women
Just like you and I
Suffered on in silence
And now we must ask why
The stigma? The shame?
Of going through ‘the change’
‘Yer woman’s never been the same’
‘She’s dried up’ ‘She went strange’
As women we have roles
Home and career to uphold
Unrealistic expectations of ourselves
Not wanting to look old
Hot flashes, sweaty faces Bad skin and facial hair
Feeing ugly tired and useless
Pretending not to care
So much dam confusion
Nothing a simple task
Each chore an uphill struggle
While trying to wear a mask
Let’s not forget the brain fog
As we search for things we’ve lost
Oh look, your keys are in the freezer
Have a cry while they defrost
To some it may sound silly
We feel them roll their eyes
But once you start to live it
You’ll understand the cries
It’s like there is a fog
Often a thick red mist
The symptoms of our menopause
A never ending list
Barely recognisable
Certainly to ourselves
Feeling lost and lonely
As we search among the shelves
So many supplements
Praying for a fix
An empty promise minefield
Information turning tricks
Not knowing where to turn
Trying to take the lead
Not wanting anti depressants
It’s not ‘happy pills’ we need
Our bodies sure are changing
Nothing seems the same
These hormones that we’re losing
Should not have us feeling shame
We need support and recognition
Of this battle which we face
Not snubbed, belittled and ignored
Not ridiculed or disgraced
We are women
We are warriors
Brave, loving, strong
Help us in the work place
If we mess up or get things wrong
We need support and education
As we navigate menopause
We need hormone tests and hrt
We have got to treat the cause
Our bodies need these hormones
Just as our lungs need air
We need clinics we can turn to
When we are in despair
We are women
We are warriors
Brave loving strong
We must all stand together now
This has gone on far too long
We are women
We are warriors
Fighting the good fight
Spread menopause awareness
To this darkness bring some light.
