You think I mean an emotion or the stirring of such but no, 
this is not a Hallmark moment, rather the memory of touch,
the soft felt boards our teachers used to show us how to count.  

Five teddy bears, three birds, six hearts, a few (that would be three)
X's which we all knew stood for kisses.  The shapes were comforting
as we wrestled with the idea of numbers, the act of addition.  

One day after school I stole the hearts
and the kisses, leaving the round open O's behind
for someone else.