A Cloud on a Stem

I slipped through the screen door and waddled onto the warm garden walkway to see what the afternoon sun was up to. Right beside the mossy brick border, a fluffy dandelion puff stood tall on its slender green stem, looking remarkably like a tiny cloud on a stick. I paused, tilting my head to inspect every delicate spoke. Leaning my weight forward, I gave the fuzzy globe a cautious nudge with my nose. A soft flurry of white parachutes lifted away in the breeze, swirling like midday snowflakes. One drifted right onto my ear, tickling my fur as the rest floated gently across the lawn.