Are you alright, she asks

I'm always alright, he replies

But he's not alright

Not at all

And he hasn't been

Not in a long time

Do you want to talk about it, she asks

No, he says

Never

Promise me you'll deal with it then, she says

Nothing happens

Fresh curiosity

Fresh concern

Can you deal with it this time, she asks

He answers now

Of course I can deal with it, he assures

He'd like to believe it

He really would

He wants to be able to deal with it

But he just doesn't know if he's able to

Part of his mind is telling him that no, he can't deal with this

He doesn't like listening it that part of himself

He listens to that part that says that he can deal

Though it is less sure

And these two mindsets, they clash together

Each hoping for supremacy over the other

Can

Can't

**Won't