Undetected

When I arrived

They checked me

thoroughly

for contraband

making sure

I was following the rules.

I wondered if

what I had with me might

show up and

set off some alarm, but

X-rays &

metal detectors

could not expose the apprehension

I had strapped

to my insides

nor the enthusiasm

brought from home

that I wasn’t sure would be

Welcome.

Later, when I returned

through those nine

Heavy doors

They scanned me again

Cleared me for passage

and let us through

Once again the machines

failed to detect

what I was taking with me

to the outside world.

Fingerprints and retinal scans

surreal

like science fiction

But they couldn’t see

The thoughts darting frantically

behind my gaze

My newfound understanding

of the paths some people take

or my gratitude for the friendships formed

With those unlikely gentlemen.

Sitting here now I think

of them, wondering

what they’ll bring with them

on the day they leave

And what they will leave behind