Once Upon a Time 

Winona Anderson

CN: medical trauma

The mislabeled venom enters,
traverses through the needle,
past the muscle,
slips along with the blood,
and finds its home in her soul.
It rips apart dreams,
devours hope,
incites civil war in her body.
She did not ask for this,
she did not want this,
and as she screams for help
her knight of the order Lupron,
her chemical menopause savior,
can't save her—
not this time. 
Accosted as she left the tower,
she was hurled into hell
with a fifty-day half-life.
She won't be released until
poison in her brain,
whose cursed name incites terror—
medroxyprogesterone—
has reached undetectable thresholds.
Until the 
sentries in her brain
can't see movement
anymore. 

The Science

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe, often debilitating condition believed to result from an abnormal response to the natural hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle - particularly to progesterone during the luteal phase. Though its exact cause remains uncertain, research points to a heightened sensitivity in the brain to these hormonal changes. In cases where conventional treatments fail, chemical or surgical menopause may be considered to suppress hormonal cycling entirely. Lupron Depo is a commonly prescribed chemical menopause injection that can be used to determine whether or not surgical menopause is a viable option. However, if a medication like medroxyprogesterone (Depo Provera) - a long-acting form of progesterone - is administered during this process, it can undo the effects of menopause-inducing drugs. With a half-life of approximately fifty days, its impact lingers for months, inducing prolonged symptoms and preventing relief.

The Poet

Winona Anderson is a poet who has found her voice through exploring identity, resilience, and societal critique. Her work layers personal and collective struggles, often through a feminist lens. She is currently developing multiple poetry collections, each crafted to tell a distinct story and amplify experiences that are often overlooked or underrepresented. Grounded in real-world experiences - from navigating gendered expectations to rediscovering identity after loss - her poetry embraces sharp imagery, emotional depth, and a willingness to challenge norms.

Next poem: Portents by Jeff Howard