You told me to study the word,
you gave me its meaning,

& I do not wish to fail.

I saw the word, & turned it to action.
I sliced it open, & turned it to poetry.

I do not wish to fail.

I made sure to remember it.
I performed it, & created it.
I lived it.

You may see it as a failure
but once again,
I passed.
I sat, hidden,
the word hovering over my left wrist, screaming,
gout.