A small red knot

I walked down the sunny sidewalk until I reached the shaded wooden steps in the park. Underneath the lowest step, a round brass curtain grommet lay half-buried in the packed dirt. I paused. I tilted my head to inspect the hollow center. A stray strand of thick red embroidery floss fluttered against a dry sycamore leaf nearby. Crouching low, I guided the soft thread through the brass circle with both paws. I eased the ends over each other into a loose, gentle knot. It made a faint, raspy scrape against the rim. The bright red thread stayed anchored, resting safe and tidy in the shade.