Gopa Bhattacharjee

The day blood dribbled between my thighs

the nonchalant door was shut in front of my eyes.

The pains, the cramps were a stage to know

they are less, the world would give me more.

Years and months passed I became habituated

stains made me conscious, carefree less.

Once it halted and I was thrilled

along with my body, maturity increased.

Motherhood left me behind with birthmarks replenished

each mark is a reminder of my crusades

I would never let them go, my mementoes.

Now each month there is an indication

my friend will never dribble again.

I am going through constant mood oscillations.

They don’t understand who doesn’t go through the change

the depressions, the dismal, is a stage to know.

Bear with me. I am menopausal. I am ripening old.

Author Bio

Entrepreneur, researcher, freelance journalist Gopa is a totally romantic poet who still loves the first showers of monsoons, 80’s hindi songs and maacher jhol (fish curry) cooked by her mother. Her debut poetry book UNTURNED VERSES was published in Kolkata International Book Fair 2020 and her second poetry book THIRTY BIRDS got published in Kolkata International Book Fair 2022. Her poetry has been published in various national and international magazines, journals like SETU, Different Truths, Our Poetry Archive, The Raven Claw (Germany), Soflay.Inc (Mexico), Universal Culturi (Poland), IPPL journal December 2019 and also in various anthologies. She is one of the leading actors and producer of the short poetry film ‘Kolkata Cocktail’ which has received national and international recognition. She has been the featured poet at the American Consulate, TATA Lit Meet Kolkata 2020, Nagar Kirrtibas and many other cultural meets in and out of Kolkata. She has also been invited at the literary event KAVYA KUMBH in Allahabad as the Guest of Honour.

*All images used in this article are either Eyra’s own design or widely and freely available on the internet.*