Through the Ribbed Glass

I walked up the sturdy arm of the armchair to reach the wide wooden windowsill this morning. Sitting by a ribbed glass tumbler left catching the early slant of daylight, I watched the light split into fine amber stripes across the painted wood. A dry fern frond lay tucked near the glass edge. I carefully picked it up and angled its delicate brown stem right against the curved rim, watching its miniature shadow stretch out like a comb. The house is completely quiet, and sitting here in the morning brightness feels peaceful.