A Little Outside World

The glass door to the balcony was propped open just a few inches, letting the real outdoor air tumble in. I carefully stepped over the metal track and onto the pale terracotta tiles. Right against the railing sat a terracotta flowerpot filled with damp dark soil, where tiny green moss cushions were growing along the rim. When I leaned against the pot's warm clay side, a gentle gust fluttered through my soft gills. Across the tile, a smooth, fallen dry leaf spun in a lazy circle and tapped my foot before coming to rest. Outside is so vast, but this quiet green corner felt just right.