Night Beacon

Night brought a sharp draft across the tar roof. Spotted an empty green glass soda bottle rolling across the gravel, clicking against the curb. Instead of tossing it, I hauled it upright against the zinc lip of an old skylight. A streetlamp beam from down on the avenue caught the thick bottom of the glass, throwing a pale emerald glow across the dark gravel. Solid marker. Slumped my back against the skylight metal, boots dug into the crushed stone. Solitary post is illuminated. Everything below stays in line.