Please Don’t Give Me A Hard Time

Please don’t give me a hard time

I’m already carrying storms

Quiet ones

The kind that rattle the bones  

But never make a sound

I’m trying to hold myself together

Patching cracks with hope

With patience

With whatever light I can still find  

In the corners of a long week

I don’t need sharp words

Or cold shoulders

Or the kind of silence  

That feels like punishment

I just need a moment  

To breathe without breaking

If you can

Walk soft with me

Talk gentle

Remember I’m human  

And hurting  

And healing  

All at once

Please don’t give me a hard time.  

Give me grace

Give me space

Give me a chance  

To rise again  

Without being pushed down first