A Floral Conquest

Marching past that dark sidewalk grate led me straight to an explosion of color: a sidewalk florist's tiered wooden stand! Stagnant pavement simply cannot compete with fresh blossoms. I scaled the fluted wooden leg of the bottom tier, planted both crimson boots firmly upon the moist cedar slats, and confronted a tall galvanized metal bucket overflowing with scarlet carnations. One stiff floral stem leaned stubbornly over the rim, completely blocking the promenade. With both hands braced, I seized the thick green stalk and hauled it upward until it locked upright into the zinc collar with a firm snap. Now every bloom stands at attention.