Among the Dark Stones

A cluster of dark roasted coffee beans lay scattered across the oiled cutting board. To my stride, each bean was a dense, rounded boulder, slick with aromatic oil. I did not rush through the gap between them. Stepping deliberately onto the rise of a single bean, I brought my footing squarely over its deep central cleft. The smooth husk held firm under my weight, rocking only once against the wood before settling silent. From atop this dark, fragrant knoll, the morning counter stretched out wide and still.