I yelled at my little boy today

Kelly Tinker

I yelled at my little boy today

harsh and unforgiving.

We were late

he for school, I for work.

He didn't like his pants...

I knew he was struggling

reminded myself to be patient

even hugged him

tried to ease his concern.

He said his friends were going to laugh at him.

But standing outside the car

chapped in the dry desert winter

my patience was paused

my temper was lost

I was almost consciously trying to scare him.

I pulled him then, roughly, and stopped abruptly

two boys, one sniffling, one simmering

and I made him sit, on my lap in the cold

against the wall on the way to his class.

Our rosy cheeks touched with my head on his shoulder.

"We're not allowed to do this." he said

as the classroom doors shut

leaving the playground empty.

I took a deep breath, held him tight

full of shame, and replied

"I think it'll be okay."