Sitting On the Fence At Twilight

Sitting on the Fence at Twilight When the sun waved good-bye in the afternoon, I’d say hello to the smiling Man in the Moon. Perching on our gray concrete fence, I’d swing my brown legs to a happy cadence. From my solid fortress, I could see a daily circus of human activity. On a single bicycle rode the Fabros, a family of four; how they all fit, it was a mystery to be sure. The street vendor, old Papito, would hawk his treats; oh! those warm, sticky, honey buns and tamarind sweets. Sashaying in her tight-fitting skirt of tomato-red, Cousin Clarita balanced a green basket on her turbaned head. Then came buxom Aunt Alfreda huffing and puffing by, to give me a piping hot, home-made, savory meat pie. I’d blow on it to cool it off first, just before biting into the flaky, buttery crust. As day soon faded into hues of twilight, I’d spy the occasional shiny satellite, a tiny, silver snail slowly revolving in the sky, moving so silently above, way up high. For a child of seven, this was such a wondrous time… right until the old town clock chimed nine. Then Mama would ring her bell calling me inside, and I’d leave the stars still twinkling outside. 04-24-2018 Contest: An Early Childhood Memory Sponsor: Line Gauthier Placement: 3rd