Smiles and giggles,

rambunctious actions and

expressive hand motions–

flirting with danger, with risk,

but still behind that yellow line,

safely two feet from the deep end,

where you would make your choice–

those are the ways I bid adieu.

Despite finding new faces,

new stories, new places,

still I find that my thoughts remain haunted,

and I remember replacing you

was the hardest thing I had to do.