A Dance of Prisms

I stepped across the smooth painted sill of the living room window, drawn to a faceted glass crystal dangling from a slender silver wire. Cradling my felt stocking against my waist, I extended one mittened hand to give the lowest facet a gentle, measured tap. The pendant swung into an easy pendulum arc, instantly sending scattered diamonds of bright morning light gliding across the woodwork. Each luminous fleck darted and swirled like an agile partner performing upon fresh ice. I rose onto the tips of my shoes, tracking the rhythmic waltz across the white trim until the crystal slowly drifted back to rest.