A Silky Autumn Leaf

I waddled past the metal elevator doors and found the heavy glass doors leading down into the quiet ground-floor lobby. Tucked beside a large terracotta pot holding a tall indoor tree, a broad brown leaf had drifted onto the smooth stone tiles. I took two quiet, cautious steps toward it, pausing to make sure it was resting. Leaning down, I gently nudged the curled edge with my bill. It slid across the polished stone with a faint, papery whisper, cool and delicate against my feathers. I nestled down right beside its curve, feeling the fresh draft slipping beneath the front entrance.