"Menses"

A girl at first gush, so afraid,
scrapes the armor mother made,
Now she comes away a woman.
Now forever more a woman.

A basket of bread, milk and butter
For her matriarch, Grandmother.
The dark woods could be anywhere,
look, the woods are everywhere.

She meets him where the trees begin,
never once suspecting him.
Fresh and young, the scent of iron,
how he loves her scent of iron.

Droplets sink into the red cotton...

Drip...

Drip...

Drip...

Path of needles, path of pins,
he doesn't want to just be friends.
He'll be waiting when she gets there,
staying patient 'til she gets there.

Her cloak, her clothes, her very best,
her grandma asks her to undress
and throw her garments in the fire,
one by one, she feeds the fire.

"I've brought you butter, milk and bread."
"Leave that aside and come to bed."
The wolf is wearing grandma's clothes!
The wolf is wearing grandma's clothes!

Her bare feet cross the floorboards...

Step...

Step...

Step...

Outside, the wind dies,
afraid to profane
the silent winter moonrise.