Restricted Access

Badge on the door says "staff only"

Red tape wrapped round my name

Keycard blinks that dead blue heartbeat

Like it never knew my face

You said

"Stay here

Wait in the hallway"

But you left the door half-cracked

All that light in there

All that silence

How am I supposed to turn back

Restricted access

But you let me in once

Now I'm pressing on the handle

Just to feel it locked shut

You drew the line in permanent ink

Then you crossed it

Kissed me

Stepped back

Now my heart keeps tripping the alarm

On your restricted access

Coffee cup ring on your desk

My name scribbled

Then crossed out

Screensaver flickers our reflection

Two ghosts trying not to shout

You talk rules like gospel verses

Then you laugh and touch my sleeve

Say it's "policy

Protocol

Process"

While your eyes beg me not to leave

Restricted access

But you let me in once

Now I'm pressing on the handle

Just to feel it locked shut

You drew the line in permanent ink

Then you crossed it

Kissed me

Stepped back

Now my heart keeps tripping the alarm

On your restricted access

Swipe denied

But you keep my photo

Face on file

Hidden in your folder

If I'm the risk

Why keep me this close?

If I'm off-limits

Why can't you let go? (why can't you let go?)

Restricted access

But you let me in once

Now I'm pressing on the handle

Just to feel it locked shut

You drew the line in permanent ink

Then you crossed it

Kissed me

Stepped back

Now my heart keeps tripping the alarm

On your restricted access

(on your restricted access)