He clocks in early, sets the chairs in rows Knows every deadline, knows where each file goes Says “no problem” when the late call lands Keeps the list moving with steady hands His name stays clean in the weekly report No missed replies, no reason to ask for more They mark him present, dependable, fine Then leave one box blank at the end of the line Every answer fits the frame Every column knows his name If the form says he’s all right Who would read the missing line? Where do I put what I can’t define? Where do I sign for the weight that’s mine? You read every word and still decide I’m only the lines that I provide He brings the coffee, remembers the dates Holds the door open, apologizes for delays He fixes each error, then moves down the chain Makes being needed look easy again At five he nods when they tell him “well done” Files every loose sheet till there isn’t one The record is perfect, the totals align Nobody asks what was left off the line Every answer fits the frame Every column knows his name If the form says he’s all right Who would read the missing line? Where do I put what I can’t define? Where do I sign for the weight that’s mine? You read every word and still decide I’m only the lines that I provide He checks the boxes one by one Work completed, favors done There is no field for barely getting by While all that he shows says he’s doing fine So the page stays clean, the judgment stands Signed and dated by steady hands Where do I put what I can’t define? Where do I sign for the weight that’s mine? You read every word and still decide I’m more than the lines that I provide He closes the folder, right on time One empty space. One unfiled line.
