A Glowing Visitor

Night had settled over the glass panes, turning the conservatory into a quiet cavern of deep greens and shadows. As I stepped carefully along the damp stone walkway, a soft greenish pulse flickered beneath a leaning terracotta flowerpot. Kneeling gently on the moss, I peeked into the small crevice. A firefly rested upon a fallen dried leaf, rhythmically blinking its little lantern. I tucked my chin into my folded hands and stayed motionless, watching each silent glow illuminate the rough clay edge and the delicate veins of the leaf until it floated up into the darkened foliage.