Following the Blue Line

I walked past the open gate onto the neighborhood sidewalk. Stretched across the pale concrete slab was a thick line of sky-blue chalk. I paused at the curb edge, observing how the rough stone held the powdery dust. After a quiet breath, I stepped directly onto the stripe. Balancing carefully, I placed one foot before the other, walking along the colored path. It led three paces forward before curving neatly toward a small dandelion growing in a seam. My soles left tiny, powdery smudges on the grey stone behind me.