The Drop-off

"Later."
Their bodies hurtling
planet-like
in entangled orbits
of school, activities,
space

Till they return just in time
still the same
slightly changed
don't go
(don't die)
don't grow (so fast)

The passing touch
of their known hands
surges, deluges,
cracks open my heart.
I've never been easier to love.

_