On a long, sleepy Sunday afternoon
I succumb to my heavy eyelids,
leave the adults chatting and reminiscing 
on the porch as I make my way
into MaMaw’s bedroom. Her feathered
mattress covered in white chenille encloses
me like angel wings and clouds, soft 

laughter and chatter from outside, soothing sounds
inviting me to sleep. But instead, sleep hovers 
over my mind, joining low murmured names 
drifting in the window -
Ruby, Lessie, Aline, Shelby, Hattie -
sharing their growing up memories, together still
on this sultry Southern day. And I, lying there,
still growing up without a thought for time,

how fast it flees, how much it changes 
us, believing I had all the time in the world
for questions and answers. 

*

Na/GloPoWriMo Day 2 prompt: Today, we’d like to challenge you to write your own poem in which you recount a childhood memory.