Clear Passage

I crossed the gravel from the flat boulder toward the low stone border of the path. A cluster of dry cedar shavings from yesterday's porch repairs lay swept into the seam of the pavers, wedged tight beneath the foot of a cast-iron garden lantern stake. I planted my boots firmly on the rough granite edge, knelt down, and cleared the wood fragments with steady, calculated swipes of my hands. With the track cleared down to bare stone, the lantern peg seated flat and solid against the pavers. I stood upright, checked the clean sightline along the walkway, and held position.