Stand in line. Hands where they can see. Say you’re safe. Say you’re free. They built the fence around the question, Then sold the lock as your protection. Stamped your number, checked your name, Moved the border, changed the blame. Boots on concrete, eyes ahead, Learn the language, nod instead. Every warning wears a badge, Every favor hides a catch. Keep your hands where they can count them, Keep your mouth where they can doubt it, Keep your anger folded neatly Wouldn’t want the room to hear it. Move! When they tell you to move. Speak! Only when they approve. Kneel! If the camera can see. Call it order, Call it anything but free. They teach obedience in portions, Serve it cold with good intentions. Write the rule, erase the reason, Change the charge to fit the season. Every doorway has a witness, Every witness has a weakness. Raise a hand and watch them measure How much fear can pass for pressure. Keep your papers close beside you, Keep the proper words inside you, Keep your anger folded neatly Wouldn’t want the room to hear it. Move! When they tell you to move. Speak! Only when they approve. Kneel! If the camera can see. Call it order, Call it anything but free. Who taught the child To fear the hand That writes the rule Across the land? Who taught the crowd To bow in place, Then thank the boot Against its face? Count the doors. Count the names. Count the laws. Count the graves. Count the hands That never shook. Count the rights They quietly took. Move! When they tell you to move. Speak! Only when they approve. Kneel! If the camera can see. Call it order, Call it anything Move! When they tell you to move. Smile! Like you’ve got nothing to prove. Bend! Till your back disagrees. Call it order. Don’t call it free. Stand in line. Good citizen.
