poem about if men menstruated.

[vivariumvivariumsvivaria]

I read a really good poem ages ago, and can't find it now.

It's about if men had periods they'd take to their bed and be granted 12 weeks leave a year. Quite a short poem, I think by a UK female poet.

CANNOT find it anywhere.

Anyone able to help? It's for an argument with my dad.

I think you’re thinking of From Mrs Tiresias by carol ann Duffy-it’s in her world’s wife book but you can probably find it on google

Yes, it's From Mrs Tiresias:

*Then he started his period.

One week in bed.
Two doctors in.
Three painkillers four times a day.
And later
a letter
to the powers that be
demanding full-paid menstrual leave twelve weeks per year.
I see him still,
his selfish pale face peering at the moon
through the bathroom window.
The curse, he said, the curse.*

genius.com/Carol-ann-duffy-from-mrs-tiresias-annotated

That reminds me, bins tomorrow.

That's the one!

Fantastic, thanks so much.

MN is brilliant. As is CAD.

Appalling everyday sexism.

@DolphinFC

Appalling everyday sexism.

....is things that actually happen everyday, not a satirical poem.

@DolphinFC

Appalling everyday sexism.

But it’s fine on here…

Errol

Fair enough... it's just sexism then.

If men had periods throughout their lives then they would deal with them. Just like women do. Same as childbirth or whatever else women say "men couldn't possibly do X".

This is daft.

(I am a woman btw but I think a lot of women like to think of themselves as martyrs to things that men couldn't cope with - ridiculous and yes it is sexist).

I don't think it's sexist. I think it's satire based on the numerous advantages men receive in the world - including the mentioned health care and employment

It's satire based on it being a word designed and built for men. It's based on the reality that women and men are treated differently by the medical system.

If throughout history, a proportion of boys and men had routinely suffered debilitating pain for a day or two a month (the poem is exaggerated for comic effect), it's entirely likely that schools and workplaces would take some account of this.

Maybe read Invisible Women (or a bit about its key points) if you don't understand.