Written for:  Poetic Asides 2023 April PAD Challenge - Day 24

"Write a touch poem."


You touched my heart with your piercing blue eyes.
Though an introvert keeping dark times buried,
you slowly opened up to me, and I
was glad.  An open book, myself, I worried

that we would not be able to meld.
To discover your sarcasm matched my own
was an absolute delight.  We gelled.
Restaurants we favored, Montauk was like home.

Those silly stocking stuffers–I once got coal;
you got your wish with a toy pony.
We began older years together, our goal.
Now you live in nursing home.  I am alone.

How strange, wise man who clasped my hand snugly
developed fear of touch–even by me.

https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/2023-april-pad-challenge-day-24