poem in praise of menstruation

If there is a river
more beautiful than this
bright as the blood
red edge of the moon

If there is a river
more faithful than this
returning each month
to the same delta

If there is a river
braver than this
coming and coming in a surge
of passion, of pain

If there is a river
more ancient than this
daughter of eve
mother of cain and of abel

If there is in the universe such a river

If there is somewhere water
more powerful than this wild water

Pray that it flows also
through animals
beautiful and faithful and ancient
and female and brave

~ Lucille Clifton, from "The Collected Poems of Lucille Clifton"

Art: "Garden of Devi" by Peter Engelhardt

Thank you Occupy Menstruation for the original post