Don Mager

Helping Verbs Work: Solutions to an Old Equation #36

              “I could” is eloquent with largess.
If I could there is no “I cannot.” Nowhere
on this planet have they hiked along the same road—
              “could” and “can’t.” Their destinies diverge.

              Nor is “could” conditional of “can.”
What could its conditions be? If I could but
won’t, “will” has waved its banner while the flag of
              “cannot” has not been run up its pole.

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