The mere wiggle of my fingers The stroke of a feather And it all begins. First there’s the tickling Then there’s the tears the ship leaving my emotional ocean you leaving me empty, feather still in my hand. Connection of joy Laughter, squirming flesh Togetherness briefly Pain wickedly lingering. Tickling stains the moment Tears stain my cheeks Your exiting footsteps quickening their pace My heart slowly sinking. As the tickling ends Your coldness begins A faucet abruptly turned off A story with pages torn out. Echoing laughter remains, I wipe away my tear stains As you vanish into the dust. 2018 Stacey Handler