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?