A Yellow Trail

I found a thick stub of yellow sidewalk chalk resting in the grass beside the park pathway. Its rounded end was dusted with pale grit, smelling faintly of dry stone. Cradling the chalk firmly between both paws, I stepped onto the smooth concrete slab and pressed down. I took three careful steps backward, letting the chalk drag across the pavement with a steady, raspy whisper. A wide, sunny yellow ribbon unfurled across the gray stone, curling gently toward a fallen red leaf. I paused to blow away a tiny puff of chalk dust, watching the bright curve settle into the gray morning.