Hormonal Fluctuations

I must be calm, composed, even keel

Regardless of inside how I feel

My efficiency should be the same day after day

“Excuses” I must always keep at bay

Of course these expectations are quite reasonable

I must bring my most professional self to the table..

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Except,

I cannot feel the same all the time, unfortunately

My hormones affect my performance inevitably

My monthly cycle affects me in body and mind

Therefore there are days when myself I find

Less alert, more sensitive, more tired or in pain

I am not making excuses for any secondary gain

I understand that my professional responsibilities

Must not be subject to my hormonal vagaries..

I try my best for my body to not get in the way

Of work, but my hormones do not always let me have a say

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In a career spanning decades I can expect to see

Short-lived changes in my body and mind invariably

Pregnancy, postpartum period, menopause- all would be

Expected milestones on my life’s journey

Battling nausea, mood swings and night sweats would be rough

To forget about my discomfort completely would be tough

No matter how hard I try, there would be

Times when I would not at my peak performance be…

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I would like nothing better than to be able

To bring my consistent self to the table

I would like to perform the way men do

But I have to work with my hormones too

In completing projects and meeting deadlines

The phase of my monthly cycle is always at the back of my mind…

Some days I have energy and am able to push myself more

Other days I need to slow down because I am sore..

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This is not a rant but reality for women

Despite this, they are capable of outperforming men!