A Blue Chalk Stub

I shuffled past the threshold and out onto the walkway stones. Right beside the expansion joint lay a stub of sky-blue sidewalk chalk, worn round at both ends. I paused at the perimeter first... studying the pale powdery dusting scattered across the grit. Rather than pushing it straight across the rough seam, I shifted sideways to find an even angle. I leaned my weight forward, easing the tip of my curved front appendage against its side. It rolled smoothly with a quiet scrape, leaving a soft blue ribbon across the pale concrete. I stayed low, resting my flank against the cool stone.