Sweet tug,

I am letting you loose.

You do not win an award

for holding it all together.

No blue ribbon will replace

the badge of honor

you’ve made of your pain.

The world does not lighten

each time you lose sleep.

You have permission

to toss out the midnight oil,

extinguish the flame

burning at both ends.

Do not push through,

plow, hustle, or grind.

There is nothing

on that extra mile that minds you.

You’re allowed to rest,

to stop,

to stay.

Don’t keep treading water.

You are not meant to hunker down

and weather the storm.

Take your shoes off.

Make yourself at home.