The Bronze Rocket

Peeking out from the canvas bag, I wiggled onto the chilly granite ledge along Cosmonauts Alley. Coo! Right beside me, a low bronze relief was set into the stone, carved with bold stars and soaring rockets. Chirp! Curious, I heaved my plush belly forward and nudged the raised edge of a bronze rocket fin with my snout. Clink! The dark metal was ice-cold, worn golden and slick from countless visiting hands. With a determined swat of my front flipper, I brushed away a dry yellow birch leaf resting in the carved exhaust groove. Resting my chin against the smooth bronze curve, I let out a proud, happy chirp.