A Stacking of Buttons

A sewing tin lay slightly open on the woven carpet. Beside it rested three discarded coat buttons, loose and silent in the evening shadows. I paused to study their varying diameters. Stepping forward, I gripped the rim of a thick horn button and slid it flat to form a foundation. With steady care, I lifted a smaller wooden disk, centering its rim atop the first. The smallest shell button came last, clicking softly into place. Balanced without wobbling, the tiny tower caught the warm glow from above.