The Floating Hydrangea

I hopped down the stoop steps into the midday breeze, eager for a little walk down the street. Near the florist's open door, an oversized galvanized metal bucket stood on the damp sidewalk, catching scattered petals. Floating quietly on the water's surface inside was a single detached blue hydrangea blossom. Leaning my upper plush points over the cool zinc rim, I gently gave the metal wall a slow tap with my lower point. The water shivered with tiny circular ripples, making the delicate cluster of blue petals bob and spin like a floating planet. I swayed softly in rhythm with its quiet turns, enjoying the calm noon air.