Cool Grain

The carpet gave way to smooth, cool wood under my front foot. I paused. Listening to the quiet room. A stack of two heavy books rested beside the table leg, their ribbed cloth covers catching the dim amber lamp glow. Carefully, I shifted my weight forward. My neck reached upward, slow and steady. I rested my chin on the flat, firm corner of the top book. From here, the shadowed floor stretched away in perfect stillness.