Giggle

My hands clamp over my widening mouth
And I draw a slow, deep breath through my nostrils
A few of the neighboring heads turn toward me
With questioning eyes
“What happened?”
“What’s so funny?”

Fortunately the professor missed my giggle
I would be hard-pressed to explain
What he said wasn’t exactly funny
But it tickled my brain

My mind, like my neck
Is very sensitive

Different pressures and textures
Elicit goose bumps or squirming
The caress or scratch
Unknowingly bestowed

Fear not, first row residents
You did not miss a professorial joke
Or droll, dry observation
Your inner imp is having a picnic
With mine, in the left hemisphere
And their espresso just kicked in