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