A Breath of Morning Air

A cool drift of air slipped past the cracked patio door, stirring the carpet fibers. I padded out from the hallway, keeping low to the skirting board. At the threshold, a mesh screen stood between the room and the wooden porch outside. I extended a dark claw and gently grazed the tight wire weave... a tiny, rasping whisper answered back. Through the tiny squares, a dry autumn leaf twirled across the sunlit deck boards, rolling and stopping. I settled my weight onto my forepaws, watching its quiet journey through the mesh while the fresh breeze brushed over my face.