Won’t

Poetry by Autumn Barraclough

I get it English is hard

Most people don’t speak it properly And diction can change a situation entirely.

Like the difference between can’t and won’t.

“Can’t” indicates that it’s not within your power or your control to do it.

“Won’t” is different. You can do it, you just don’t want to.

I think about that when you say you can’t.

Can’t come over.

Can’t hang out.

Can’t call or text back.

Can’t make the time.

It hurts a lot that you can’t.

It feels like a heavy heart and tight shoulders. It feels like a chipped nail and a tight pair of pants. It’s like reaching for a phone in a pocket when it’s not there.

It makes me feel like I can’tLike I’m the one powerless to move on and let go It strips me of energy and occupies my mind.

It’s odd though, because, hypothetically, “can't” should be better than “won’t.”

Like you would if you could, but you can’t, But that’s not our situation though, is it?

After all these can't's,

I’m realizing why it hurts so much isn’t because you can’t, But because you won’t.

And it’s up to me to be okay with that. Just like learning English And the difference words can make. I have to learn to let you go, So I will have time for the people who will.