wishes for sons

The “last tampon” (Line 3) symbolizes the inconvenience of the monthly, though oftentimes completely unpredictable, menstrual cycle. The word “last” (Line 3) has a finality to it, and when used to describe a “tampon” (Line 3), a practical product necessary for absorbing menstrual blood, Clifton adds an urgency to the poem. By wishing sons “the last tampon” (Line 3) and “no 7-11” (Line 4), the speaker reveals the psychological stress women and people who menstruate endure on top of the physical pain caused by their period. The symbol of the tampon adds nuance to the experience of menstruation, exposing the multiple levels of preparedness necessary for monthly bloodshed.

The “white skirt” (Line 6) is a multifaceted symbol, representing the shame and stigma that the patriarchy has attached to menstruation. Historically, the female body has been scrutinized and objectified on a public and personal level. Women are taught from an early age to hide their periods. Periods are seen as dirty and shameful despite the fact that over half of the population experiences them on a monthly basis. The “white skirt” (Line 6) in Clifton’s “wishes for sons” makes this secret shame visible. The speaker wishes boys “one week early / and wearing a white skirt” (Lines 5-6), shocked by an early period staining a crisp, white article of clothing.