“My Cycle My Pride” A literary analysis

Recently, as opposed to delving into the deluge of articles that surround the realm of period poverty, I decided to take a glimpse into the myriad artworks within this realm -  to analyze a new perspective. 

Specifically, I stumbled upon the poetry of Oluwatunmise Gbajumo, titled “MY CYCLE MY PRIDE”. As a teenager, currently enrolled in high school, my experiences firmly align with those thoroughly described in the poem. And I know I am certainly not the only one. In fact, my existence comprises one of 500 million afflicted individuals who undergo - endure - the stigma and unsolicited shame brought about by the occurrence of my period. 

The line “Because we’ve made being a woman on her flow into a shameful act” truly resonated with me. During those awkward middle school years - rife with crucial transitions from childhood to young adulthood - I always wondered why, when the word “period” would come up, the conversation would always bow down to a whisper or why the process of borrowing a tampon would be so highly masked. It didn’t take me long to realize that this truly should not be the case. More specifically, during the onset of excruciatingly painful cramps, I would never know what to do - who to turn to. Frankly, I would have to sit through the pain - silently squirming in my chair - with no official protocol on how to deal with such instances at school. Again, I knew I was not the sole believer in this sentiment - on a daily basis, there were millions of girls around the world who would have to skip class or miss professional opportunities to attenuate their menstrual pains or hide from the embarrassment of large leaks on light-colored clothing. The line “Because I’m too scared of what they’ll think” piqued my interest, specifically, due to the raw nature of the statement. The fact of the matter is that, currently, the majority of topics surrounding menstruation are met with inherent reactions of disgust; this must change. We must educate the global population on the fundamental biological process affecting all parts of the human race - with a cardinal priority on destigmatization. 

It all starts with profound poems like these to get the word out. Harnessing the power of global initiatives and movements, it is indeed possible to solicit change - to foster safer and more accessible environments to all those who menstruate. 

“My Cycle My Pride”

                                                           - Oluwatunmise Gbajumo, 19