A Sunny Leaf Inspection

I pushed open the sliding glass door just enough to slip out onto the balcony tiles. The open air felt refreshing after spending all evening inside. In the corner sat a large ceramic planter filled with dark, damp soil and wide green leaves. I walked over, rested both hands on the cool ceramic rim, and leaned in close. A dry brown leaf had fallen right across a sturdy green stem. I reached over, pinched its brittle tip, and lifted it away so the young shoot underneath could catch the full morning light.