NaPoWriMo 14, 2016

Permission

Am I aloud

to cry

just a little?

When it’s hard

and I’m tired

and spent

Must I hide in my room

and put my head down

on my arms

on the desk

and crinkle my face

and suck a deep breath

and wretch it back out

while the tears

dribble down

cross my nose

while it runs

and it all

makes a small

salty puddle

on my sleeve

Pull from my pocket

a crumpled old tissue

raise my head

dab my eyes

blow my nose

Lie about

swollen red eyes

and the catch

in my voice

Or, am I aloud

to cry

just a little?