A Forbidden Word

She oughtn't of said it
After all it is a horrid word: disgusting
There was no reason to; no threat, no excitement
But she did and now it's retractable
Floating sourly in the air
Sharp and bitter from the rustic blade she calls a tongue

Now we stare at our friend
The danger she has put us in is immense
Maybe she didn't understand
Or maybe she didn't realise
But we all learned from a young age
Whatever prejudice you hear indoors, remains there
You don't whisper, speak and especially shout obscenities
Not in the rough, violent and multi-cultural street

She had though
As her anger at the group of ethnic boys teased her
Her mouth started running
And so did we
I had never been prejudiced
I had an open mind
But there was no time for reconciliation
Just time to escape

All I knew was that we were prey being hunted by hounds
We were incoherent, spooked and for the most part innocent
But right now, as their pride and rage fuelled their minds and legs
We just kept going, on, ahead, home, hoping that our door will provide safety

I looked back: they were gone
The sound of tyres and feet fading into the background
Relief and comfort came over me
We were safe, for now
I'd fallen down during our retreat
Now my leg and nursing hand were covered in blood
I looked to my friend
Fear still evident on her face

They say let children make their own mistake
Let the young learn
If they fall, they'll get up
If they fail, they'll thrive
But this lesson brought a blunt shock to our system
Some words are not worth it and should never be uttered