I am eight years old
bare feet, callouses planted firmly on the linoleum floor in the kitchen
Everybody else is otherwise occupied
A rare moment of solitude in a chaotic household
Hot, it’s a hot night
and humid
I can almost hear the atmosphere
No fan, just an occasional breeze to brush the bangs off my sweaty forehead
The moon is waning, crickets are chirping, frogs are frogging
In the kitchen, a low-hanging lamp glows golden
This stolen moment, no one can take it from me
I hold it close in my memory
in my dreams
(c) 2023 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
At What’s Going On, the prompt is memory. I confess, the first thing I thought of was the song from Cats, and now Streisand is blistering that tune to death. But sometimes, amid the oh-so-hard memories of my childhood, a few moments remain. Unmatched, never forgotten. Those moments gave me hope.
Sharp Little Pencil 
Mary
I enjoyed all the details you brought to that “stolen moment,” Amy. It is good to be able to hold them close to our hearts when we need them!
Sharp Little Pencil
Agreed. This memory comes back from time to time. Helps to banish all the sadness
drpkp
Brilliant that rare moment of solitude of peace in chaos. Bravo to the little girl and kudos to the woman who houses her still.
Sharp Little Pencil
Ah, this is lovely, Pearl Girl. That kid lives on. I have gotten very good at protecting her.
Sherry Marr
This moment, so clearly described and remembered, took me right there with that small girl: feet, sweaty bangs, the crickets and frogs, the golden glow from the lamp. Just beautifully described, Amy. So lovely to be reading you again.
Sharp Little Pencil
Sherry, it is great to be back, reading all my old friends. And thx again for turning me on to a great prompt page!
Rajani Radhakrishnan
That stolen moment of solitude – beautifully captured.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, Rajni. Much appreciated.
Sharp Little Pencil
Sorry for misspelling your name, Rajani!
susanstoo
What a gem of a memory! “I can almost hear the atmosphere” you say, and I can too, remembering what a solitary moment like this can mean for a girl of 8 (and 9 and etc.). Happy thanksgiving.
Sharp Little Pencil
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. And thanks, Susan!
Sumana Roy
This is indeed a perfect moment so beautifully etched in your memory. “…stolen moment” is stellar. Love all the details along with this. Thanks for joining us Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks much, Sumana. And what a lovely prompt! It gave me a chance to reflect.
James Steerforth
Love this piece of “memory”. Especially the frogs that are frogging!