A Garden Hose Crossing

A thick green garden hose blocked the packed earth path ahead. I approached its curve without haste. It felt cool and rigid under midday heat, pressurized with still water. Instead of turning back, I gripped the rubber ribbing and hoisted one boot over the arch, pausing midway to balance atop its rounded crest. Down below, two black ants maneuvered through the dirt groove beneath the hose. I waited quietly until their line cleared before stepping down onto the dry gravel on the other side.