[Intro] Say it five times: minimally burdensome. My mouth fumbles—like paperwork in a gust of sun. [Verse] March rolls in: the White House puts out a National Policy Framework— Nonbinding, but it sets the tone like a drum in the dark. And the December executive order still echoes: “one lane, one way,” While states keep drafting rules like they’re trying to save the day. Riddle: what’s “optional” but still rearranges the room? Riddle: who gets “flexibility,” and who gets the broom? [Pre-Chorus] I whisper: framework, work-mate, wake-late, Trying to keep my fear from turning into hate. [Chorus] Framework tongue-twister, I’m tripping but I’m here, Don’t call it “lightweight” if it steers the whole year. I want guardrails that don’t flatten the street, And a chorus with room for the people it meets. [Bridge] I’m not anti-progress, I’m anti-pretend— Say what it costs, say who pays, say when. I’ll sign the form, then I’ll sing the footnote, Because the quiet part is what I wrote. [Outro] Minimally burdensome—I finally say it straight. Now tell me: who decided what’s “burden” and what’s “fate”?
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