A Morning Offering

I walked up the smooth steps to the side altar bathed in the early glow, carrying a single fresh white lily bloom. Resting upon the pale linen cloth was a small, ornate porcelain vase waiting empty. Standing on tiptoe, I used both hands to guide the slender green stem inside, tilting the pale blossom so its petals caught the soft morning light filtering across the marble. A delicate, sweet scent rose into the hushed air, perfectly greeting the new day.