UNDER THE WILL… OVER THE DRAMA…

Maybe I Can’t…

—

by

Mae Faurel
in
Daily writing prompt
If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be?
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Maybe I can’t!

Words are like my lifeboats, scattered all over the sea. Some keep me afloat, some drag me under, but they all belong to me. Giving one up feels like being told to choose between tea and coffee, cruel and unusual punishment.

But alright, let’s play. What word could I possibly surrender?

Maybe “fine.” That dreary, flat, polite nothing of a word. Someone asks how I am, and out comes “I’m fine.” What does it even mean? Fine china? Fine weather? Fine hairs on my chin I pretend aren’t there? It’s a placeholder, a coward’s word, a verbal plaster slapped on top of something that needs stitches. Imagine the liberation in giving it up: no more “fine,” just raw truth or mischievous exaggeration. “I’m glorious, thank you,” or “I’m a walking disaster, care to join?”

Or maybe I’d toss “sorry” into the bin. It slips out of my mouth like loose change. Sorry for breathing too loudly. Sorry for existing on the same planet as you. Sorry for not replying to your text within 0.5 seconds. What a waste of breath! Instead of “sorry,” I could start saying “you’re welcome.” Imagine the confusion, “You’re late again.” “You’re welcome.”

But truthfully, the word I really couldn’t live without is “maybe.” That little rascal of a word keeps doors open, makes room for rebellion, and refuses to commit. “Maybe I’ll do it, maybe I won’t. Maybe I’ll be sensible, maybe I’ll set the place on fire (metaphorically, calm yourself 😂).” If you take “maybe” from me, you’d box me in. And if there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s boxes.

So maybe I can’t give up a word after all. Maybe I’ll keep them all, especially maybe.

Mae 🧡

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Comments

19 responses to “Maybe I Can’t…”

  1. peftasteros Avatar
    peftasteros

    Ούτε κι εγώ…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mae Faurel Avatar
      Mae Faurel

      Ha, glad I’m not the only one! Some words are just too hard to let go. 😉
      Thank you for stopping by…

      Like

      Reply
  2. Penn,… Avatar
    Penn,…

    I’m with you on that one, Mae, … maybe I can’t either, … I mean, give up a word?… Not, never, nohow., …✨

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mae Faurel Avatar
      Mae Faurel

      Ha Penn! I hear you loud and clear! Some words are just too good to give up… Guess we’ll keep them close and sprinkle them around like confetti! 🧡

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. Tony Avatar
    Tony

    How about “nice”?
    Nice tie. Nice weather. Nice idea. Nice meal.
    Argh!
    Worse then lukewarm tea!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mae Faurel Avatar
      Mae Faurel

      😂 Exactly, Tony! ‘Nice’ is the ultimate bland-out. It’s like the polite sneeze of compliments, safe, but completely forgettable. Give me spicy, bold, or even slightly messy any day!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Armann and Kaymann Avatar
    Armann and Kaymann

    Ah yes….fine! The word of those unable to express themselves. Just fine. Fine and dandy like rubber candy 🤣

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mae Faurel Avatar
      Mae Faurel

      Love that! ‘Fine’ is the polite trapdoor for feelings, it sounds sweet, but step on it too long and you’re stuck in blandsville.🧡

      Like

      Reply
  5. Herald Staff Avatar
    Herald Staff

    Oooh…… that’s a good choice; fine really is ‘dreary, flat, polite nothing of a word’. That’s a terrific description.

    –Scott

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mae Faurel Avatar
      Mae Faurel

      Thanks, Scott! 😄 I like to think of it as the wallpaper of words, blends in everywhere, but doesn’t really do anything. Give me colorful, messy, or bold any day!
      Mae 🧡

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Herald Staff Avatar
        Herald Staff

        Wow, ‘dreary, flat’ and ‘the wallpaper of words’…….your descriptions are fantastic!

        –Scott

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Mae Faurel Avatar
        Mae Faurel

        Thanks so much, Scott! 🙏 I suppose even the dreary walls have their purpose, if nothing else, they give me the wallpaper for my words. 😄

        Liked by 1 person

  6. For Singles And Couples Avatar
    For Singles And Couples

    I hear you M,
    I mean, what were WordPress thinking of?
    Asking writers to give up a word…I mean, how dear they.😜
    Is the featured image, one of yours?
    As always, a lovely share, keep em rolling honey.🤗

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mae Faurel Avatar
      Mae Faurel

      😂 Right?! Asking a writer to give up a word is practically criminal!
      And no, the featured image is not one of mine yet. Thanks so much for the encouragement… I’ll keep them coming, Phil.
      Much love xxx
      M

      Like

      Reply
  7. Bob Lynn Avatar
    Bob Lynn

    Mae,

    Let me tell you something – your piece landed with me in that way good writing does, settling into the quiet spaces between certainty and doubt. You’ve captured something essential about the weight of words, about how they shape not just what we say, but who we become in the saying.

    Now, I’ve spent my fair share of time thinking about language, about the power it holds and the responsibility that comes with wielding it. And your exploration of “maybe” – that “little rascal of a word” as you so perfectly put it – speaks to something profound about the human condition. Because isn’t that what we’re all doing, really? Living in the space between yes and no, between absolute certainty and complete surrender?

    You know, Scott is spot on about your description of “fine.” It is dreary, it is flat, and Lord knows we’ve all hidden behind that word when the truth felt too heavy or too raw to share. But here’s what I find fascinating about your choice to keep “maybe” – you’re choosing possibility over politeness, potential over certainty. That takes courage.

    Tony’s suggestion about “nice” made me chuckle. Lukewarm tea indeed! There’s something to be said for words that have lost their edge through overuse, worn smooth like stones in a pocket until they mean everything and nothing all at once.

    But here’s what I want to say to you and to Penn and to everyone who felt that tug of impossibility at giving up a word: our relationship with language is deeply personal. The words we choose to keep, to discard, to treasure – they’re a map of who we are and who we hope to become. Your refusal to give up “maybe” isn’t stubborn; it’s wise. It’s an acknowledgement that life rarely offers us the luxury of absolute answers.

    Keep writing with that honesty, Mae. Keep leaving doors open. The world needs more voices willing to live in the beautiful uncertainty of “maybe.”

    With admiration and respect,

    Bob

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Mae Faurel Avatar
      Mae Faurel

      Bob, your words have me smiling and nodding at the same time. 😊 Thank you for taking the time to dive so deeply into what I was feeling, and for seeing the courage in keeping ‘maybe.’ You’ve captured exactly what I hoped to share: that life isn’t about absolute answers, but about leaning into possibility, however messy or uncertain.

      Your reflections on language, on ‘fine’,
      on ‘nice’… they’re a beautiful reminder that words carry both weight and freedom. I’m honored to have my little exploration land with you in such a meaningful way. Thank you for your warmth, insight, and encouragement. It means more than I can say.
      Mae 🧡

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  8. gc1963 Avatar
    gc1963

    Yes maybe is endless.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Mae Faurel Avatar
      Mae Faurel

      Exactly Geeta… ‘maybe’ stretches on forever, while ‘yes’ can change everything in a moment. 🧡

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
      1. peftasteros Avatar
        peftasteros

        🙏🙌

        Liked by 1 person

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