Can’t Happen

 

 

Two words I hear often

Usually in annoyance

And they come after the fact

In every instance.

 

Only today

I heard these words

And it was after the annoyance

Had already occurred.

 

Can’t happen

After it has happened

Is of little comfort, my friend,

To the one threatened.

 

Especially after

It has happened before

And is currently happening again

And likely some more.

 

So, what do we mean,

I mean, really mean,

When we say, “Can’t happen!”

Re a reoccurring scene?

 

Who’s to stop it

From happening again

Or from continuing to happen

Like the rain?

 

Who looks at the rain

And say “Can’t happen” again

And really believes such

If he is not insane?

 

 

Can’t happen

Especially after the fact

Is nothing more than a placebo

And this is a fact.

 

It’s a consolation:

A “make me feel good”,

It’s like a promise to a fool:

A slumbering dud.

 

Sounds authoritative

Like a kitten that roars

Or, like a demanding beggar,

Knocking on doors.

 

Can’t happen

Is none too comforting

Especially when it’s ongoing

And unsettling.

 

Add to “Can’t happen”

“Not ‘bout hey”

And straight-up you know,

It’s just a term we say.

 

Meaningless at most,

Authoritative at least,

Like the PM’s “Stop and desist!”

Expecting it to cease.

 

Words say a lot

But they do nothing

Unless humanly implemented

To do their bidding.

 

 

Unless of course,

That someone is God,

He is omniscient and omnipotent,

He is The All in All.

 

He spoke the word

And it was done

And sooner or later we’ll know,

He is the only one.

 

Stewart Russell © August 1, 2024