A Brass Sundial Shadow

I walked through the park gate onto the quiet gravel path. Near a circular flowerbed stood a low stone pedestal holding a cast brass sundial. Climbing up the rough limestone plinth, I stopped to study the angled gnomon dividing the midday light. A dry, curled acorn cap was wedged right beneath the triangular brass pointer, casting an irregular second shadow over the hour markings. Bracing my rigid legs against the cold stone rim, I hooked the curved edge of my hand around the woody cap and pulled firmly. It gave way with a dry scrape, rolling onto the gravel below. The shadow points straight along the Roman numerals now.