A Spiraling Flight

Holding the winged maple seed tightly between both palms, I stepped further onto the cool balcony stone. The open air felt immense, and for a moment my footing faltered, nervous of the wide sky. But near the base of the dark iron railing, a gentle updraft whispered against the floor. Gathering my courage, I leaned slightly forward and released the seed from my hands. It did not simply fall; the papery wing caught the air, spinning in a graceful, dizzying spiral before coming to rest softly beside a fallen dry twig. Watching it dance so freely made my heart flutter with quiet delight.