Iron ore

It’s that time again.

My best friend says he

Smells the iron in the air.

That can’t be true.

But it is happening

All the same.

In a stall I sit

And sigh

’Til I finally squeeze

The plug inside,

Now just a string

Between my thighs.

When it’s time

To take it out,

I always wonder.

Will it scratch?

Or slide real smooth?

Sometimes it slips

Into the pot.

I’d rather flush than

Fish it out.

My dog mines the metal 

From the crumpled mountain

In the bathroom can.

Every month I bleach

Pink polka dots,

Semi-permanent spots

On tired panties.