Conditions Permitting

The elephant that isn't in the room,
a rare, indeed extraordinary beast,
more often, it is safer to assume,
appearing when it is expected least.
Tries managing, unwanted, through the doors,
while everyone pretends it isn't there,
since noticing the damage to the floors,
like saying that the emperor is bare,
primarily reveals a lack of manners,
particular to those of modest wisdom,
unseasoned in the ways of lords and banners,
still unaware of needing to appease them,
and wont to say: but surely, there it stands!
Sophisticates will offer: it depends.