I Can’t

By Shefali Choudhary

I can’t, they say two words two syllables tossed,

How lightly words fall now as if they are dust,

Stripped of trust.

A thousand I cants’ float in the air,

Each one an escape, a way to not care.

I can’t because it is too much too bear,

Well, fighting is hard, life isn’t fair.

I can’t, because you deserve more than me,

Well, running is easy, love is rarely free.

I can’t, because, courage left my side,

Well, it has always been easier to hide.

Each I can’t is a door closed, a truth denied,

What if we just dared to stand and fight?

So, let us hold them close, these words of ours that we so preciously defend,

For ‘I can’t’ may break, but ‘I will’ can mend.

By Shefali Choudhary