A Luminous Lavender Perch

Carrying the pressed fern leaf carefully down from the bookshelf, I looked around for a calm spot to end the day. A warm, butter-colored glow caught my eye near the corner of the low nightstand, emanating from a small ceramic lamp with an ivory paper shade. Beside it sat a forgotten glass perfume bottle, its faceted surface catching golden glints. I leaned my dry fern frond against the cool glass flacon, then hoisted myself onto the flat amber bottle stopper. Perched upright, I let out a slow, content sigh, soaking in the amber light and watching shadows lengthen into the night.