City Bulletin No. 417

This notice is issued for general awareness.

It applies to anyone still moving through their day

with something unfinished tucked behind the ribs.

As of this morning, the city acknowledges

a quiet accumulation.

Unclaimed feelings have exceeded capacity.

They are blocking doorways,

backing up stairwells,

settling into places meant for passing through.

Until further notice, residents are advised

to slow their speech when asked How are you?

A delay of more than three seconds is acceptable.

A change of subject is not.

Please refrain from storing regret

in public-facing expressions.

It leaks.

It startles people who are already bracing.

Maintenance crews will not be dispatched

for memories that surface without warning.

This includes:

songs from closed windows,

the smell of soap on someone else’s hands,

names you say once, quietly,

to make sure they still exist.

If you encounter someone standing still for no reason,

do not intervene.

They may be holding themselves together

with temporary measures.

Signs marked PROCEED WITH CAUTION

are not metaphorical.

There are thin places in the day

where the past shows through.

In case of emotional exposure,

remain present.

Breathing is sufficient.

Explanations are unnecessary

and rarely accurate.

This bulletin does not assign blame.

It does not offer solutions.

It is posted because silence

has begun to feel like negligence.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Thank you for carrying what you carry

without setting it down in the street.

Further updates will be issued

when someone figures out

how to say this

without lowering their voice.