Blood Mine

by Lauren Coodley

photography by Michele Miskovich

Blood, mine, I thought you were gone forever,

though you still pulse in my veins,

invisibly. Blood, mine, I waited for you

at thirteen, like the boyfriend I never had—

with my glasses, my braces, I was safe

in a circle of girls all menstruating,

unlike me. Blood mine, I never hated you,

never wanted to be pregnant when I wasn’t.

I always welcomed the warm rush between my legs,

your sticky fertile scent. Blood, mine, I had thought

you would flow forever, that children would always

dream in my house. When you disappeared with no

warning, I kept my tears inside, in silence mourned

the loss of your liquid redness. Blood mine, I began

to bleed, more blood than ever before, rich red

blood for the soil, thick fragrant blood for my eyes

to see and hands to touch, reverently. I knew you

had come to say goodbye as my daughter will do

next month. Blood mine: I thank you for the sticky

warmth you have brought, the stains on my clothes

and sheets, signs at fourteen that I was a woman

after all, your sign today that all will change.

Blood mine, why did it take so long to see that

you are holy? Red trail like a dream ignored, wet waters

from the womb: blood, forever mine.

Lauren Coodley

Lauren Coodley taught psychology and history at the Napa community college for more than three decades. Her most recent books include Upton Sinclair: California Socialist, Celebrity Intellectual (University of Nebraska Press, 2013) and Napa Valley Chronicles (The History Press, 2013).  You can learn more about her work at laurencoodley.com.

 Michele Miskovich

Michele Miskovich is an actress and fine art photographer. Michele will have her first solo photography exhibit later this year in LA. She is also a seasoned comedic improv + sketch performer having been in several improv troupes that performed around Los Angeles and is an alumna of The UCB Theatre. You can see her #acharacteraday on Instagram and many sketches on Funny or Die and YouTube. She lives and works in LA with her film composer husband and their young daughter. www.michelemiskovichphoto.com