I’m afraid your manuscript
does not fit our current needs
I’m afraid you’re overqualified
for this position
I’m afraid your credit history
renders you ineligible for a loan
I’m afraid you just aren’t
what we’re looking for
But never fear,
We’re not really afraid.
Jedediah Smith 
that is kind of an interesting qualifier we use for politeness – admit our nonexistent fear and hide the rest! Very poignant piece.
Thank you
I love the tongue-in-cheek irony!
What a picture you have painted of irony – I fear….and yet, they do not – they are just trying to sugar coat the refusal….
Right, euphemisms are often the worst sort of lie.
Yes they are.
I bet some of these sound oh-so-familiar to a lot of us. That first one hit me in the gut and I have a drawer full to prove it. As for all of the, the trick is to keep on trying.
Very true
Nice description of mock fear.
Yes ‘I am afraid that’ is one of those flowery expressions that is strange if you look at it closely. Good one!
Oh! Among those other primal fears. We almost forgot this! Excellently spotting and well done on the poem!
Oh yes–we’ve all heard this, haven’t we? A nice take on the prompt.