[Intro]

Approved in principle.
Pending review.
Supported strategically.
Subject to queue.

[Verse]

I asked for access to the client logs.
"Security review."
I asked to kill the failing jobs.
"Architecture view."
I asked for two days on the users' site.
"Travel board convenes on Thursday night."
I asked who signs when the answer's clear.
"The designated owner's absent this year."

[Pre-Chorus]

Every open door hid a smaller door,
with a smaller lock and a higher floor.
Every "yes" arrived in polished style,
with a footnote long as the central aisle.

[Chorus]

Freedom pending approval,
authority under review.
You may choose any road you like—
from the roads we permit you to.

[Verse]

The budget owner approved the spend,
if Finance first approved the end.
Finance asked if Legal guessed
how customer contact might offend.
Legal wanted Product's note,
Product wanted Brand aligned,
Brand required a slogan quote—
the customer got left behind.

[Pre-Chorus]

I drew the chain in marker red:
twelve approvals, nothing led.
They gave me ownership of pain,
but kept their fingers on the chain.

[Chorus]

Freedom pending approval,
accountability guaranteed.
You may answer for the outcome—
we'll decide when you proceed.

[Drum Break]

Budget? Pending.
Security? Pending.
Legal? Pending.
Customer? Waiting.
Risk? Accepted.
Owner? Away.
Deadline? Yesterday.
Decision? "Please resubmit today."

[Bridge]

I will not confuse delay with care.
I will not call a maze a stair.
I will not sign a freedom claim
that shifts the risk but guards the name.

[Build-up]

One request. Twelve replies.
Seven meetings. Fourteen slides.
No decision. No refusal.
Only freedom—pending approval.

[Final Chorus]

Freedom pending approval,
your polished promise has come due.
We will name who blocked the road,
and name who told us to.
When you hold the power above us,
you will answer for it too.

[Outro]

Approved in principle.
Pending review.
The form returned with one request:

"Please specify what freedom means to you."
