A Tiny Carousel

I followed the footpath down to Monroe Community Park, where the afternoon sun warmed the weathered timbers of the pond footbridge. Near the railing post, a crisp, cupped oak leaf rested on the planks. Kneeling down, I placed a smooth, rounded pebble directly into its hollow center to test the balance. With a gentle nudge of my finger, the leaf spun across the wood grain like a tiny boat on land, gliding over two seams before coming to a quiet halt against the baseboard. I gave it one more soft push, watching it twirl once more under the clear autumn sky.