Socks and Grammar

I mused for days
about whether socks would lay,
or if perhaps they’d prefer to lie
stagnant at a hamper’s base.

It’s a common trap, a trick of syntax—

Socks as objects are always laid,
and socks as subjects will never lay
(though yesterday I’m sure they lay)
and mine have lain for days and days,
stagnant at the hamper’s base.