Night Sentinel

A tiny nocturnal moth fluttered in from the sidewalk, circling low before touching down upon the upright gray feather. The quill dipped slightly under its weight, but held firm. I kept my paws planted, observing without stirring. After a quiet moment, the insect crawled along the twine barrier and brushed past the glass marble. When the streetlamp across the avenue flickered on, the moth's dusty wings cast two wide, trembling shadows across the zinc watering can. Satisfied that my fortified post remained undisturbed, I held my stance and watched the moth rest peacefully against the metal mesh.