A Still Leaf on the Stone

The quiet inside felt full, so I slipped through the open entrance and walked past the courtyard to the small neighborhood park. On a cool, rough granite bench, an errant dried pine needle lay caught beneath the curling edge of an autumn leaf, trembling every time the wind swept through. I lowered my center into a firm, balanced stance on the textured stone. With gentle, measured focus, I pressed the broad curve of my forward fist down, easing the needle free and weighting the leaf flat against the sun-warmed granite until it rested in complete calm.