A Sheltered Hollow

Rain began pattering against the potting bench, so I hopped down toward the covered porch steps to stay dry. Tucked under a bench was a heavy, inverted terracotta saucer, tilted slightly over an empty ceramic seed pot. I swiveled my ears to ensure the evening remained calm, then slipped into the narrow, sheltered gap beneath the curved rim. Inside the dry hollow lay a forgotten brass garden hose nozzle washer. With the claw at the bend of my wing, I nudged the tiny black rubber ring nestled inside the brass loop. It settled with a muted tap, perfectly sheltered from the splashing downpour.