passing through airport security on a monday morning

I remove my shoes
in defense
of my country

sweet land of liberty

my black socks shuffle
over grey laminate
through the gates
the TSA guy winks
and smiles

He can detain me
He lets me pass

and I recall the fierce
compulsion
to bare my feet
beside
my grandfather's bed
the power in that room
unseen

heard only in the air
that rattled
labored
in his lungs

how I stood
then, too

of thee I sing

in stockings