I spoke a naughty word today
Expressing things on my mind
Rooting around in my backpack in vain
For something I couldn’t find.
The thing that I was looking for
Wasn’t so big or important
To utter, so harshly, a word impolite
That sounded so rough and discordant.
At least nobody else was there
No one to cringe or shudder,
No one to wonder, “What’s his deal?”
That such a word I’d utter.
And then I looked up from my bag
Imagine my surprise
To see a lady sitting there
With lovely deep blue eyes.
My heart it sank, my thought, “Oh no,
I wasn’t all alone,”
Someone had heard me say that word
In such a low-down tone.
I’m not that kind of guy, I thought
I wanted to clear my name
I should have said, “I’m sorry, ma’am
Your ears with filth to inflame.”
But I didn’t, no, I said no more
Sheepish and ashamed,
Perhaps, my friends, I think it’s time
My tongue, it should be tamed.
Because, you see, I might not know
Who’s near enough to hear
When next, a nasty thing slips out
My wife, or grandson dear.
A Wordaphile, someone like me
Should think of something nice
To say when I get frustrated
Instead of words with spice.
And then I wouldn’t need to worry
That I’d be overheard
Uttering words that aren’t so sweet
Is really for the birds.
