you never have to have it
worse than everyone else
just so you can finally admit
you’re feeling overwhelmed.
there’s no checklist of struggles
you’re supposed to maintain
before you’re allowed to complain
about how brutal life can get.
no one has the right to decide
if a word someone randomly said
can’t be as painful as stubbing
your toe against the bed.
only you get to cry,
scream, weep,
or yell.
only you
get to choose
how to
let
it
all
out.