A Leaf Afloat

I walked down the avenue toward the park plaza fountain, carrying a stiff, golden leaf picked from the sidewalk. Resting on the warm stone ledge, I pressed the curled edges inward and tucked the stem through a natural notch, fashioning a buoyant, hollow boat. I leaned forward over the water and set the hull down gently upon the glassy surface. A light tap from my fingertips sent it gliding outward, cutting clean, expanding ripples across the sunlit water. Watching it drift steadily past a cluster of floating moss brought an unexpected, lighthearted spark to my afternoon.