[Intro]
Nearly empty Conference Room B,
dashboard still visible on the glass.
Cold coffee by the marker cap;
the clock lets go.

[Verse 1]
Erased board residue holds the frame,
grey arcs where we argued names.
I'm looking between notes and figures,
at what held up, what changed.
Sara closes her laptop;
Leo turns his chair halfway.
I called it outside noise.
I cannot call it that today.

[Verse 2]
The numbers did not write the piece,
did not choose the cut or line.
But they showed where readers stayed,
and where we lost the line.
Dismissing them now would be careless,
comfort dressed as craft.
I can give the evidence room
without handing it the draft.

[Chorus]
Use the evidence.
Keep the judgment.
Bring the figures in.
Keep the judgment.
We take what we can prove,
then answer with our names.
Use the evidence.
Keep the judgment.

[Instrumental Break]

[Bridge]
Sara says, "Then it has a place,"
not the whole decision.
Leo nods toward the wiped board;
"That much, yes," he says.
Judgment stays at the table
after the facts arrive.
I keep my name on the call,
and keep the question live.

[Chorus]
Use the evidence.
Keep the judgment.
Bring the figures in.
Keep the judgment.
We take what we can prove,
then answer with our names.
Use the evidence.
Keep the judgment.

[Instrumental Solo]

[Chorus]
Use the evidence.
Keep the judgment.
Bring the figures in.
Keep the judgment.
If proof changes the question,
change the call we make.
Use the evidence.
Keep the judgment.

[Outro]
Cold coffee, capped pen,
dashboard lit after we leave.
I keep the judgment
with figures beside my notes.

[End]