A Leap into the Sunshine

I pushed through the small gap beneath the screen door to see what lay beyond the kitchen. Outside, the wooden deck stretched wide under bright daylight! I scrambled across the warm planks toward a tall, smooth flowerpot beside the steps. Leaning way over the ceramic rim, I spotted a fat, dried leaf shaped like a tiny brown boat. I snatched it up with both hands, held it high like a grand prize, and broke into a fast, stomping victory dance right on the sunny step, watching my crisp shadow mirror every swing of my arms.