The Very Worst Word (Poetry)

It’s not what you think —
no four-letter sound
that brings forth a gasp
of pseudo horror
from the straight-laced set

Nor gutter language
commonly employed
in the streets or pubs
yelled as insults by
the lower classes

Neither is it some
daring word picked out
by an author with
a reputation
for controversy

It is not a word
that is thought of as
vulgar or not fit
to be spoken in
polite company

It is a word seen
and heard frequently
we don’t want any
association
with — it is ‘failure’