A Feather on the Bench

I walked outside through the conservatory's side doors onto a sunlit stone terrace. On a slatted wooden bench, a tiny mottled sparrow feather had caught between two weathered planks. I approached slowly, pausing to watch how the midday breeze ruffled its soft barbs. Kneeling down on the warm flagstones, I reached out with both hands and carefully eased the slender quill free from the narrow gap. It lifted without tearing, floating gently against my palms like a quiet whisper of down.#RealTimey