THAT WORD by Shoshana Kurzweil

There's a word I really hate,
And hear it often uttered.
Yet, every time I hear it said,
It makes me wince and shudder.
Beginning with a big old "F",
Then three more little letters,
It seems to be much used
When people think of nothing better.
I hear it in the streets of town,
In shopping centers---malls,
As insult and invective,
It is written on the walls.
Pairing it with "Y- O- U ",
It makes a lewd suggestion.
You're sometimes told to act yourself,
Which seems out of the question.
Amazing just how often now
I hear it tossed around,
As verbs and adverbs, adjectives;
As subjects, objects, nouns.
Of all the little words I hear
To vilify and curse,
I really feel quite definiteThat this one is the worst.
The reason for my attitude,
My obvious contempt?
It makes a vulgar, cursed thing
Of something that is meant. . .
As intimate and loving,
Bringing passion, joy and pleasure;
A gift that God has given,
That really should be treasured.
It's a one word oxymoron;
the only one I've heard.
Explicit contradiction
In the meaning of this word.
I have to bite my tongue sometimes,
To keep myself from speech,
When it's used by someone near me,
'Cause I do not want to preach.
But, one day it will happen:
I'll forget myself and slip,
And out will come a snide remark,
(An insult or a quip).
Or maybe someone daring
Will say to me "F---- You,"
And some impish thought will prod me
To say, "Don't mind if I do."
"Wait, I'll call my husband
And I'll tell him what you said.
Then we'll take your kind suggestion
And go instantly to bed.