One Critical Word Poem by Richard von Geldern

The poet must write a sonnet
In praise of a grand and just man.
To meet a deadline at the end of July,
He must begin as soon as he can.

He starts to compose - it's May.
We'll see this is none too soon,
For the lack of one critical word,
The poet has stalled - It's June.

He still lacks the critical word (in July)
To describe the man grand - and just.
The word comes to him now, but too late.
Worse yet, it's a pun - it's au`gust.