The room was quiet When the door shut Not a warning Just a cut Folders open Names aligned No one asked Who crossed the line A voice said necessary Another said secure The third one said temporary That was enough to move There’s a box for every answer If you know where to look There’s a phrase for every outcome If you follow the book No hands raised No fists clenched Just a nod And a bench The word order Never used Only guidance Only rules By the time it reached the hallway It was already clean By the time it reached the street No one remembered the scene They’ll say it wasn’t personal They’ll say it wasn’t hate They’ll say the line was clear enough And delay was worse than fate Somebody signed Somebody sent Somebody said This is what it meant Meaning travels poorly Once it leaves the room Consequences don’t fit well In a summary or a tune If you ask who authorized it They’ll point to something framed If you ask who carries it They’ll say that’s not how blame Works The file stays open The form stays true What’s done keeps moving Even after you