That wicked word

When I’m 18 and have left school,
Will you let me be?
Or will you say that word,
The one word that kills me?

When I’m 30 and grown up,
Walking down the street.
Will you yell the terrible word,
When us two do meet?

When I’m 60 and ready to retire
And I see you
Will the word still haunt me
No matter what I do?

When I’m dead at my funeral
Will the tombstone say
That wicked word
That I wish would go away?