A Slender Spire

A shallow ceramic saucer of tiny glass beads caught the morning light upon the low pine table. I pulled myself up onto the sturdy stool, mindful of my beaded fringes, and settled cross-legged upon the wood. Beside the saucer lay a stiff straw bristle shed from the hearth broom. I picked up the bristle with steady fingers. Taking a single turquoise seed bead between my thumb and forefinger, I guided the narrow tip through its hollow center. The bead slid down with a faint click, followed by two white ones. Balanced upon the slender straw, they formed a firm, upright spire that caught the sun.