Silent Circuits

My badge still warms the kitchen drawer

A name that won't open any door

Monday came folded in a paper cup

Security watched while I boxed it up

Sixteen tabs open, every one says no

The code I taught now learns where I can't go

I refresh the silence till the morning is gray They said the

future needed fewer hands

Just cleaner charts and smaller plans

I was a line item,

blue ink, erased A quiet seat in an empty space

I built the ladder,

then it climbed without me

I drew the map,

now the road forgets my name

Every inbox turns its face away If the machine can dream,

why can't I stay

Why can't I stay

I tailor my name to another form

Rewrite my worth in a practiced tone

Portfolios sink in an automated tide

A polite rejection with no one inside

My old chair spins on without a sound I built the ladder,

then it climbed without me

I drew the map,

now the road forgets my name Every inbox turns its face away

If the machine can dream,

why can't I stay Why can't I stay

I still know how the wires breathe

How the warnings turn from green

But every gate asks who replaced me

And every answer looks clean

I built the ladder,

then it climbed without me

I drew the map,

now the road forgets my name

Every inbox turns its face away If the machine can dream,

why can't I stay

I am still here,

I am still awake Why can't I stay

My badge still warms the kitchen drawer I leave it there,

in case they call